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Tag: Central Naval Command (CNC)

  • Navy destroys 87,000tons of illegally refined crude oil

    Navy destroys 87,000tons of illegally refined crude oil

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy has destroyed 87,000 metric tons of illegally-refined crude oil in the Niger Delta region.

    CNC with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the raids and patrols that led to the destruction were conducted between May and September.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan, said 400 illegal refineries and 85 boats used to convey the stolen petroleum products were also set ablaze within the period.

    Alhassan said the feat was achieved following the Operation Rivers Sweep the command launched in January 2017.

    “So far, the operation has recorded a huge success in reducing Crude Oil Theft (COT), pipeline vandalism and other maritime crimes which hitherto had contributed to insecurity of lives and property as well as disruption of economic activities in the maritime environment.

    “Between May and September this year, the command seized and destroyed a total of about 87,000MT of illegally refined crude oil. Also, over 400 illegal refineries were destroyed including 85boats used by oil thieves and illegal bunkerers”, he said.

    To consolidate on the achievements, Alhassan said the command had concluded plans to launch another military exercise called, Octopus grip.

    He said the sea exercise would last for three days beginning from October 30 to November 1st adding that it was designed to tackle maritime crimes associated with the ember months.

    He named Commodore Habib Usman as the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) for the exercise and the officer in charge of the operation as Rear Admiral Frederick Ogu.

    He said one of the objectives of the exercise are to assess the operational readiness of CNC fleet and bases as well as test practical skills of personnel in tackling maritime threats.

    Other are to determine the capability of the operational bases in the conduct of riverine operations and provide an enabling environment for sustenance of economic activities including oil and gas production, safety of shipping and other activities at sea.

    He said: “The central Naval Command (CNC) is tasked with the responsibility of securing the waterways as well as providing adequate security for the National assets domiciled within the Command’s Area of Responsibility.

    “In order to fulfill these mandates amongst others, the Command in Jan 2017 launched ‘Operation Rivers Sweep’.

    “In order to consolidate on the gains of Operation Rivers Sweep, the CNC is scheduled to commence a riverine and sea exercise code named ‘Octopusgrip’.

    “The sea exercise is expected to last for three days beginning from Monday 30th October-01 November 2017. Furthermore, the riverine OPS will nip in the bud other maritime crimes associated with “EMBER” months.”

  • Navy takes free medical mission to late Alamieyeseigha’s community

    Navy takes free medical mission to late Alamieyeseigha’s community

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy, at the weekend, embarked on free medical mission to Amassoma, the community of late former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    The people of the community led by their Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Amananaowei of Amassoma, Maj. Graham Naigba (retd) participated in the medical mission and were freely treated of various ailments.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, who led senior officers of the command to Amassoma, said the medical mission was borne out of the desire to tackle the health needs of the people.

    He said the navy since September 2016 has been going to various communities in its Area of Operation (AoR) to offer free medical treatments to the people.

    Garba said such medical missions, as part of civil-military relations, had enabled the navy to move closer to the people and win their confidence.

    He also added that the mission would form part of his handover not to the new FOC, who was expected to take over from him soon.

    He said the communities visited by the navy appreciated the gesture, which had helped to drastically reduce attacks on oil pipelines.

    According to him the people had shown their appreciation by giving timely information of miscreants’ and vandals’ activities to the navy.

    “Such information has given us the intelligence to be more proactive in handling issues of economic sabotage. Out of their appreciation of what we do for them, they come to is and give us information”, he said.

    On his part, the traditional ruler, Naingba, thanked the navy for their gesture describing it as commendable.

    He appealed to them to do more for his community to enable his people overcome the scourge of diseases.

    He said the community had never witnessed such well-organised and big free medical intervention and assured the navy of his community’s cooperation.

     

  • Navy arrest nine suspected oil thieves, vandals in Delta

    …Destroy 4,000 metric tons of crude, illegally refined diesel

     

    No fewer than nine suspected oil thieves and operators of illegal crude oil refining camps have been arrested in the last one week as the Nigerian Navy embarked on Operation Water Sweet II in Delta state.

    Briefing journalists on the outcome of the operation at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta base in Warri, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Central Naval Command (CNC), Real Admiral Mohammed Garba, said not less than 42 illegal refining camps, about 3,000 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil and 1,000 metric tons of illegally refined diesel oil, were destroyed during the operation.

    Garba, who pointed out that the decision to activate the operation followed the observation that illegal refining and militant camps were reappearing in parts of the command’s area of responsibility, added that his men destroyed 40 Cotonou boats, loaded with stolen crude, just as they recovered 9 speedboats and 14 pumping machines during the operation.

    The naval chief, who was accompanied by the outgoing Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve and his successor, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, and other officers from the CNC headquarters and the NNS Delta, said the operation would be continuous so that the criminal activities could be kept at bay.

    “Although NN efforts have significantly reduced the activities of criminal elements in this area, experiences from the recently conducted Ex Eagle Eye brought out the need to sustain operations against these criminal elements with more emphasis on illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and operation of illegal refineries.

    “Today I am pleased to announce that after a week of persistent crackdown on the operators of these illegalities, own team so far discovered and destroyed a total of 42 illegal refining camps. Accordingly, about 3,000 MT of suspected stolen crude oil and 1,000MT of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO were destroyed in the operation, in line with extant regulations.

    “Also, 40 Cotonou boats, laden with suspected stolen crude, were set ablaze. Furthermore, a total of 9 speedboats and 14 pumping machines were recovered from the operation.

    “The operation also led to several arrests, including 3 high profile members of the criminals involved in pipeline vandalism. Some have been interrogated and handed over to the DIA, NPF and DSS, as appropriate, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “It is pertinent to mention that the operation is still ongoing in that it has been discovered that the illegal refineries, after being destroyed, the criminal gangs always reactivate them”, Garba said.

  • Navy’s medical mission excites Niger Delta communities

    Navy’s medical mission excites Niger Delta communities

    The Nigerian Navy has changed the perception of most communities in the Niger Delta region about the military.

    Hitherto, most communities viewed the military as an agent of death with insatiable murderous appetite. In dread, they would flee to different directions for safety on sighting the men in uniform.

    But gradually things are changing. The military now wears a human face. It has embraced professionalism. With carrot-and-stick approach encased in different social intervention programmes, the military is now able to warm itself into the hearts of many communities in the Niger Delta region.

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy has a robust social welfare scheme for communities in its Areas of Responsibility (AoR). With headquarters situated in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, the CNC visits different communities with its medical outreach programme.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command,  Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, is passionate about the medical rhapsody. He is at the forefront driving the process and within a short period of time, since he assumed the CNC’s command, Garba has reached five communities with healthcare scheme.

    Recently, the Ede-Epie community in Yenagoa, trooped out en masse to partake in its turn of the Navy’s medical mission. Children were dewormed. The aged, women and youths were treated for various health conditions. In fact, Dr. Jennifer Odjegba and other medical experts in the naval team handled the cases of the beneficiaries professionally.

    About 2000 persons benefitted from the gesture. The Navy offered free malaria tests and treatment, blood pressure checks, eye screening and treatment. They also gave free diabetes screening, treatment of urinary dysfunction, among others.Consequently, the community poured encomiums on the navy. Many of them said with the kind of gesture extended to them by the navy, their perception about the military changed from negative to positive.

    Consequently, the community poured encomiums on the navy. Many of them said with the kind of gesture extended to them by the navy, their perception about the military changed from negative to positive.

    The Paramount Ruler of Ede-Epie community, His Royal Highness, Edwin Iti, wore smiles permanently on his face. He said the navy made him proud before his subjects. According to him, the people heaved a sigh of relief.

    He said the military has revealed its humanitarian face by showing that it does not only exist to apprehend criminals. He vowed to partner with the military to rid the community of crimes.

    The monarch said: “We appreciate the Navy for deeming it fit to extend this medical rhapsody to our people. Before now, when my people see military personnel, they get scared. But now, we are glad that the perception has changed.

    “We are overjoyed. The wisdom of coming to put smiles on the faces of our people is welcome. This programme has revealed that the military is not only to apprehend people but to offer humanitarian services. We are fully ready to partner with the military to rid our communities of criminals.”

    Garba, who personally declared the event open, said the free medical rhapsody was to promote and strengthen civil-military relations and also to boost healthcare service delivery in targeted communities.

    He said the Chief of Naval Staff was very proud of the programme as it was meant to explore partnership of all stakeholders as part of the measures to tackle criminality in the CNC’s area of responsibility.

    He urged the people of the community to continue to support the programmes and policies of the Federal Government and that of the military to achieve sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta.

    He appealed to the community to distance itself from criminal activities, maintaining that the Navy zero tolerance for criminalities was not negotiable.Garba said: “I want to urge the community members to distance themselves from criminals that want to take the advantage of agitations and struggle to unleash mayhem on people.

    Garba said:  “I want to urge the community members to distance themselves from criminals that want to take the advantage of agitations and struggle to unleash mayhem on people.

    “Do not allow the magnanimity of the Federal Government to dialogue to be a missing opportunity.

    “This medical rhapsody is a programme meant to show appreciation to the host communities.  They have been cooperative and supportive of the programmes and policies of not just the Federal Government but also the Nigerian Navy.

    “We feel we have to give them something as a token of our appreciation. That is why we organise this free medical rhapsody to the communities in the region and we are doing it every month.”In Yenagoa alone, five communities have already benefitted. We are encouraged by the turnout of community members to this

    “In Yenagoa alone, five communities have already benefitted. We are encouraged by the turnout of community members to this programme. Before now, people see the military as a threat but now a lot of people have changed that perception and are beginning to embrace the exercise.”

    He advised the communities to key into the Navy’s zero tolerance for criminalities by appealing to their people to shun criminal acts such as piracy, cultism, kidnapping, oil theft, vandalism and other vices.