The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has pledged to investigate the incident in which the captain and other crew members of the Panama-flagged ship MV Ophelia reportedly killed two Nigerian stowaways.

It was reported that some Asian crew cruising Panama’s vessel killed two Nigerians identified as Frank and Osas Velurobo after they were discovered on the ship.

About a dozen others were thrown into the ocean but escaped and were rescued by fishermen at Gbanken Beach, Grand Kru town, Liberia.

The Nigerians boarded the ship illegally from Lagos, Nigeria which was believed to be sailing to Japan, but two met their demise as others were fortunate to be alive.

Reacting to the incident, Maritime Commissioner, Lenn Eugene Nagbe revealed that LiMA has instituted a panel to investigate the matter and will ensure that all criminals are brought to book.

Nagbe, according to Nigeria Abroad, on Saturday said Liberia Immigration Service is also working with LiMA to hasten the investigation.

He also said the agency has taken some measures of both national and international maritime standards on the incident.

The report listed the measures as: “transmitted a formal communication to the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation informing him of the incident. The communication is also soliciting the cooperation and support of IMO in the investigative process.

It has also “informed the Panamanian government through available diplomatic channels including a transmittal from Liberia IMO Permanent Representative, Moses Owen Browne to his Panamanian counterpart.”

It said Panama has the responsibility to ensure the enforcement of relevant international instruments being the flag state of the vessel.

While it has communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, it extended it to other regional bodies including the Nigerian government in Abuja to assist in apprehending the vessel.

“It also communicated with the ship owner and the agent to make representation and participate in discussions regarding arranging and financing the maintenance and repatriation of the stowaways,” the report added.

Gulf, Egypt stocks tumble on global growth worries
Gulf markets and Egyptian stocks sharply declined yesterday as global economic growth woes kept oil prices under pressure and pushed investors away from the region.

Investors are bracing for a large increase to United States interest rates when the Federal Reserve meets later in the week, which could lead to a recession and reduce fuel demand.

Oil, which fuels the region’s growth, came under further pressure from International Energy Agency’s warning that demand growth could grind to a halt in the fourth quarter.

Seven million Nigerians sue INEC over failure to complete voter registration

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index (TASI) dropped 2.2 percent to extend its four-week losing streak. Financial shares led all other sectors lower.

Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the kingdom, are in the firing line of Fed policy moves as five of them have their currencies pegged solely to the dollar and broadly match U.S. monetary steps, while Kuwait’s dinar is linked to a basket of currencies believed to be dominated by the greenback.

Egyptian blue chips (EGX30) tumbled 3.1 percent in its biggest single-day decline in two-and-a-half months. Some 25 of its 30 stocks pointed lower.

The index, which is down more than 18% so far this year, has come under pressure because of a sharp slide in foreign portfolio investor holdings and rising costs of key commodity imports, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Banking shares pushed Qatar equities (.QSI) down 1.2 percent as higher interest rates are expected to squeeze lending to businesses and households.

Eritrea appears sending soldiers to Ethiopia to aid Tigray war, say activists, international authorities
Eritrea is mobilising its armed forces and appears to be sending them to Ethiopia to aid its neighbour’s war in the Tigray region, according to activists and international authorities.