Nigeria and Russia are currently locked in a discrete diplomatic row over the continued detention of 15 sailors over allegation of arms smuggling through a Russian ship Myre Seadiver. The sailors were arrested on October 23, 2012 after port and security agents found several guns and about 8,500 rounds of ammunition aboard.
The Russians who had been in custody of the Nigerian Navy since their arrest, were last week handed over to the Police for prosecution, a development which shocked the Russian government.
Nigeria and Russia are currently locked in a discrete diplomatic row over the continued detention of 15 sailors over allegation of arms smuggling through a Russian ship Myre Seadiver. The sailors were arrested on October 23, 2012 after port and security agents found several guns and about 8,500 rounds of ammunition aboard.
The Russians who had been in custody of the Nigerian Navy since their arrest, were last week handed over to the Police for prosecution, a development which shocked the Russian government.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the sailors were facing a court case initiated "under false pretexts" and that Nigeria broke a promise given to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, that the men would return to Russia before the New Year.
"We expect that this time around the Nigerian partners will stick to their word and release the Russian sailors in the nearest time without additional conditions and further delays," the ministry said in a statement last week.
"The Russian Foreign Ministry will continue seeking the prompt release of our compatriots to Russia," the ministry said.
"Despite the energetic efforts made by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian embassy in Nigeria to release the Myre Seadiver and its crew of 15 who were detained in the Lagos port on October 19, 2012, and also despite the promises to allow our compatriots to return to Russia before the New year holidays made to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov by Nigerian Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru in a phone conversation on December 21, the vessel and crew continue to be held by the Nigerian authorities," the report which was obtained exclusively by Shipping Position Daily said.
Our source confirmed that “Moscow expects Nigeria to release Russian seamen without preconditions”, even as it insists that the sailors were being wrongly detained.
Similarly, Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, called the accusations "groundless" and urged Nigeria to release the embattled sailors.
"Over nearly three months, no charges were presented. This means the Nigerian side has no strong evidence. A week after the detention they would have been transferred to police arrest and then to court," Moran spokesman Alexei Maximov said.
"This case is the worst possible scenario that is threatening bilateral ties between Russia and Nigeria," he alerted.
But the Nigerian Navy said last week that its investigations have been concluded and that the suspects are going on trial soon.
Speaking through its spokesperson, Western Naval Command Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara , it said that, “we handed over the crew to the police as we have completed preliminary investigations,", adding however that, "the ship and the weapons are still in our custody."
Omodara alleged the boat was stopped initially because it was in Nigerian waters without permission.
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