By Damisi Ojo, Akure

The families of the three suspected sea pirates arrested by men of the Forward Operational Base(FOB) of the Nigerian Navy in Igbokoda, Ondo state have denied that they are criminals.

A statement in Akure on behalf of the families by their lawyer, Barrister Atima Koboju, maintained that the three suspects Odun Ogunse, Adeojo Sunday and Edema ThankGod are not only innocent but being victimised.

The FOB Igbokoda, had last week arrested three person classified as pirates while 33 others declared wanted.

Koboju, in the statement, alleged that the names of their children and others declared wanted were youths of Temetan, Kofawe and Agbeni communities who have land dispute with the Olu of lgbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo.

According to him: ” The youths are involved in one litigation or the other with the monarch in connection with land dispute.

” It is ridiculous that the Nigerian Navy FOB, lgbokoda can descend so low as to be used for such obviously selfish purpose by any monarch or persons.

” lt is sad that the Naval Base is now blowing hot and cold and acting the script of some persons to nail innocent persons to crime.”

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Besides,the family said the claim that Bamitale lwatan is connected to the attack of a vessel in Bayelsa and wanted in connection of kidnap of foreign nationals was not true.

The statement reads further: ” The claim that Bamitale lwatan is also connected to gun duel between the officers of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, lgbokoda and sea pirates at Gbagira Awoye is not true.

“Bamitale lwatan is only the Youths Leader at Temetan community who Oba Odidiomo desperately wants to nail to crime.

The family added that the naval authorities in the state was only acting the script of the monarch and therefore described this ” as unfortunate and ridiculous.

However, the Commodore of the Naval Base, Commodore Danjuma Ndanusa said at the weekend that the three boys are sea pirates and would face the music adding that 33 others have been declared wanted for various criminal offences in the riverine area of the state.

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Oba Odidiomo when contacted said: “The navy has its own intelligence and they have fact on those arrested and those put on wanted list,the navy cannot do anybody bidding . The reasons and decision to arrest the criminals is best known to Navy.

“How can we have a hand in their arrest when they were arrested miles from Igbokoda and their activities on the sea is not even in Igbokoda? I have become a cheap instrument to be used to cover their crimes”.