NIGERIA: Fifteen Russian sailors detained by Nigeria's navy in October on suspicion of arms smuggling are in police custody pending the completion of investigations
Record ID:
235902
NIGERIA: Fifteen Russian sailors detained by Nigeria's navy in October on suspicion of arms smuggling are in police custody pending the completion of investigations
- Title: NIGERIA: Fifteen Russian sailors detained by Nigeria's navy in October on suspicion of arms smuggling are in police custody pending the completion of investigations
- Date: 10th January 2013
- Summary: LAGOS, NIGERIA (JANUARY 10, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF POLICE STATION SIGN-POST READING: "THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE" WIDE OF POLICE BUILDING VARIOUS OF WINDOWS WITH RUSSIAN SAILORS LOOKING OUT SIGNPOST READING: "THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE CID" WIDE OF POLICE STATION WITH CARS DRIVING PAST
- Embargoed: 25th January 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAC662Q6XJK046QINXX6KZOFFOJ
- Story Text: Fifteen Russian sailors detained by Nigeria's navy in October on suspicion of arms smuggling are being held by the Nigerian authorities in the country's commercial city, Lagos.
Nigerian authorities intercepted a ship and arrested its Russian crew on October 23, 2012 after they found several guns and around 8,500 rounds of ammunition on board.
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.
They also 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.
Arms smuggling to and through Nigeria is rife; demand for weapons is great because of an Islamist rebellion in the north, armed robbery and kidnapping by gangs in the south and oil theft and piracy in the southeast.
The country is also sometimes used as a conduit for shipping arms to other conflict-ridden parts of West Africa.
The Moran Security Group, the Russian company that owns the confiscated vessel, called the accusations "groundless" and urged Nigeria to release the sailors as for nearly three months, no charges were presented which for the group meant the Nigerian side has no strong evidence.
In 2010, a consignment of rocket launchers, grenades and other explosives from Iran was seized in Lagos, causing a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Iran.
It also strained ties between Iran and Senegal, which accused Iranian security forces of trying to supply weapons to its Casamance rebels. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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