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Tag: Chief of Naval Staff

  • Chief of Naval Staff assures return to fishing activities in Lake Chad

    Chief of Naval Staff assures return to fishing activities in Lake Chad

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CoNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to secure Lake Chad and its surrounding waterways, enabling the resumption of fishing and other socio-economic activities in the northeast. 

    Speaking in Maiduguri during a working visit to Naval formations in the Lake Chad Basin, Abbas emphasized the importance of synergy between the military and other security agencies to end the war and secure the region. 

    “Our joint military action with security agencies and the Civilian JTF in the Lake Chad and its shores will enable fishermen and farmers resume their economic activities by securing the Lake and dozens of waterways that serve many communities in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states,” he said.

    The Nation reports that the CoNS’s visit aimed to assess operational requirements of troops in the Lake Chad region, comprising Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger Republic. He revealed that the military joint action targets Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, denying them access to the Lake and waterways. 

    “Beyond securing the Lake, our efforts will revive economic activities and improve the lives of communities affected by the insurgency,” Abbas added.

    He inspected the Maiduguri Naval Base construction and met with Governor Babagana Zulum to discuss security efforts. He also visited the Baga Naval base, emphasizing the military’s commitment to restoring peace in the region.

    The Chief of Naval Staff’s assurance has raised hopes for the thousands of displaced fishermen and farmers in the Lake Chad region, who have been forced to abandon their livelihoods due to the Boko Haram insurgency. 

    The Lake Chad, once a thriving source of fish and livelihood for millions, has been a hotspot for terrorist activities, making it imperative for the military to intervene.

    Vice Admiral Abbas’s visit to the region underscores the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to securing the Lake Chad and its surrounding waterways. 

    The Maiduguri Naval Base, currently under construction, is expected to enhance the Navy’s capabilities in the region, providing a strategic location for monitoring and securing the Lake Chad.

     Governor Babagana Zulum, who met with Abbas, praised the military’s efforts and assured the government’s continued support in the fight against insurgency.

    The Lake Chad region, which spans across four countries, has been plagued by Boko Haram’s terrorist activities, resulting in significant displacement, hunger, and economic hardship. The military’s renewed efforts aim to restore peace, stability, and economic prosperity to the region.

    The success of the operation is expected to have a ripple effect on the local economy, enabling the revival of fishing, farming, and other socio-economic activities, improving the lives of communities in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

  • CNS seeks more discipline, dedication from newly promoted warrant officers

    CNS seeks more discipline, dedication from newly promoted warrant officers

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has tasked the newly decorated Naval Warrant Officers (NWOs) to maintain high level of discipline and dedication to the service of the Nigerian Navy and the nation at large.

    Ogalla, who was represented by Navy’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, spoke while decorating 19 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers with their new ranks yesterday in Abuja.

    The CNS said the elevation of the officers to the NWO was in recognition of their discipline, commitment and dedication to duty.

    “Promotion, first of all, they said, comes from God. So, you should see it as an act of God that He has counted you worthy amongst your colleagues whom you started with.

    “You know that many of them might have fallen along the way, and even those who are still in service, not all of them were counted worthy to be elevated to this particular enviable rank.

    Read Also: Four ships, chopper deployed in sub-regional navies’ maritime operation

    “It is because of your hard work, commitment, dedication to duty and, more importantly, unblemished record.

    “You have played key roles before, and now you have been called upon to play even more important roles, because when you are deployed, some of you will find yourself there at the Niger Delta,” he said.

    Ogalla urged the promoted officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by ensuring a high level of discipline, stressing that more would be required from them, going forward.

    The CNS said their new ranks would task them with high leadership roles that they would be required to play.

    “So, you need to lead by example, lead with courage and even more dedication.

    “Now, you will be wearing the white uniform and other naval accoutrement, like white shoes.

    “It is something that demands cleanness and discipline for you to be neat and to appear the way you should appear.

    “It will be your responsibility to bring the men together, the ratings together, talk to them, speak the language which they understand and always make sure that you keep your acts together,” he said.

    Ogalla congratulated the officers and commended their spouses for being their pillars of support at the home front that enabled them to discharge their duties effectively.

    On behalf of the newly decorated NWOs, Philip Shishi lauded the gesture, saying the new ranks had bestowed on them the prestigious title of the “Admirals of the Lower Deck”.

    He said they were aware that higher ranks come with higher responsibilities.

  • Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Service Chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, on Thursday met behind closed doors with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Those at the meeting included the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.

    Even though the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it may not be unconnected with the security situation in the country.

     

    Details later…

  • Respite in Rivers

    • Amaechi, Wike make counter-claims as navy conquers militant oil thieves

    Residents of Rivers State in the Niger Delta are heaving a sigh of relief over the hazardous soot which for years has caused the death of many people and held others down with various forms of diseases. Worried by the menace, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari took drastic The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, was also unhappy with the situation, which was the result of illegal oil bunkering and refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta region, particularly in Rivers State. He declared zero tolerance for soot.

    Taking up the challenge, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Rumuorlumeni, Port Harcourt, Commodore Sam Bura, had deployed soot hunters made up of naval personnel in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, to stamp out the menace by apprehending criminals involved in oil theft and illegal refining defiling the atmosphere. They were also charged with the responsibility of locating illegal bunkering/refining sites in the creeks of Rivers State while also detecting items meant for illegal refining and confiscating them.

    Residents of Rivers State had in the last three years been battling with the deadly soot to no avail until the intervention and change of strategy by NNS Pathfinder, particularly in the last three months.

    In the heady days of the soot menace in the state, cars parked outside were covered with black particles by daybreak. Household items were messed up by soot while merely inserting a white handkerchief in the nostrils revealed the penetration of black particles/substances, which health experts say can cause cancer and respiratory diseases, among other ailments.

    Security personnel were initially burning down illegal refining sites, the equipment, refined products and stolen crude oil. But that approach was also polluting the environment, prompting the navy to opt for the use of swamp buggies, which have put an end to the pollution while the criminals responsible for it were sent out of business.

    In the era when illegal refining sites were burnt, the criminals would either return to the same sites or relocate to other parts of the creek after a few weeks, making use of the relics of the burnt items. But swamp buggies proved to be more effective in tackling the menace.

    Amaechi, Wike make counter-claims

    The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, had said for the eight years that he reigned as the governor of Rivers State, there was nothing like soot in the state because his administration dislodged the illegal oil bunkerers involved in illegal refining. He accused his successor and current governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, returned the criminals to the state.

    Amaechi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also alleged that the criminals were used by Wike to rig the 2015 elections, but the guns given to them were not retrieved, aiding their return to crime to survive, with deadly soot as the result.

    But Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged discerning minds not to take seriously the allegations levelled against him by his former boss (Amaechi), saying that his administration bought many gunboats for the navy to frontally tackle criminal activities on the state’s waterways, while also supporting other security agencies.

    The Rivers State governor stressed that the battle against soot was also being fought by his government, but with different approaches like preventing the burning of tyres, campaigning against burning of seized tankers, crude oil and illegally-refined products, as well as empowering the youth as a way of discouraging them from going into illegal activities.

    Crude oil stolen by armed illegal bunkerers are refined illegally in the creeks to produce diesel, petrol and kerosene, all fondly called Kpo-fire. The products have been damaging vehicle engines while the explosion resulting from the use of their kerosene has led to deaths and injuries.

    The making of illegal refineries

    Setting up an illegal refining site is very expensive. Pipes, tanks, drums and other items must be purchased while experts are needed to couple them and build boats, particularly big Cotonou boats which can convey many drums of crude oil or illegally-refined products. Speed boats are also needed for easy movement.

    It was learnt that heat from illegal refining could kill while a little mistake made by the illegal refiners and their “boys” could lead to instant death, in spite of the free money they get from stolen crude oil.

    With their illegal refining sites destroyed with swamp buggies, the scraps of their equipment are now being sold in order to minimise their losses.

    A visit to one of the destroyed oil refining sites in the creek of Bolo, the headquarters of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State via a naval gunboat revealed the huge damage done to the environment by pollution resulting from the activities of economic saboteurs.

    Regular speedboats not accompanied by security personnel would easily be overrun by illegal bunkerers/refiners. But they fear the 12.7 mm bullets from the naval gunboat which could easily tear a human being into pieces.

    The high-calibre weapons of the gunboat would not respect the amulets won by criminals, and they would quickly surrender when caught in illegal refining, crude oil theft/illegal bunkering and sea piracy, with the military’s weapons being regularly upgraded.

    With the criminals also aware that bullets from naval gunboat can bring down aircraft, they dare not run when caught in action in spite of being always fully armed.

    Travelling by water is hazardous, because besides being attacked by criminals who would dispossess travellers of their valuables and money, the expensive engines of their boat could also be removed and taken away by sea pirates, leaving the boat driver and his passengers to struggle with paddle until they get help. Some of the passengers may be kidnapped while the ladies among them could be raped right inside the boat.

    Feeling the people’s pulse

    To feel the pulse of the dwellers of the coastal communities affected by soot from illegal refineries, our reporter moved into Bolo community after leaving the illegal refining site near the ancient community.

    Surprisingly, many of the youthful respondents in the community admitted to being involved in illegal refining and crude oil theft but decided to quit in view of the losses caused by the frequent destruction of their expensive equipment and other materials by navy’s swamp buggies.

    An indigene of Bolo, Mr. Tubonemi Nyengibi, who fearlessly admitted to being involved in illegal refining, said: “In the days of illegal bunkering/refining, before the destruction of the equipment by naval personnel, we faced many health challenges. Then, between 6 pm and 7 am, it was always difficult to open windows, because of the dangerous soot which would make the nostrils and household items to turn black.

    “It was impossible then to spread white clothes outside till daybreak as they would turn black. Illegal bunkering and illegal refining are not good. The people, especially the youths, should desist from getting involved, as they are against Nigerian laws. Before now, I was involved, but I am no longer taking part. I later decided to go to school to become a better person.”

    Another indigene of Bolo, Tamuno-Okwein Godwin, corroborated Nyengibi, saying that using the swamp buggies was the most effective method of sending the criminals out of business and putting an end to the pollution of the environment, thereby improving the health of the inhabitants of the various communities.

    The Crown Prince of Bolo, Tamunotonye Abolo, urged the Federal Government to assist members of the community, especially the well-educated youths who are jobless and opted for illegal refining to survive despite knowing that it was hazardous to their health and would destroy their sources of livelihood, especially fishing.

    Abolo added that the youths must be employed, adequately empowered and given scholarship in order to stop getting involved in illegal refining and illegal bunkering.

    A resident of one of the riverine communities in Rivers State, Agbede Oloye, admitted that he and others were involved in illegal bunkering and refining in order to help themselves. But he said in the last three months, patrolling naval personnel had made it impossible for them to operate, especially using swamp buggies to destroy their equipment and other items at the sites.

    Oloye said: “In view of the destruction of our illegal refining sites by naval personnel, we are now at home doing nothing. I must admit that if it was in the days of illegal refining, I cannot wear this white T-shirt because of soot, as it would have turned black and the river would have been stained because of pollution from crude oil.

    “Without anything to feed on, we are now selling to Hausa people the scraps of the oven, pipes and other equipment from the destruction of illegal equipment carried out by naval personnel. We are also selling our speed boats. Illegal bunkering is now difficult to do in Rivers State these days. Federal Government should assist us.”

    For about two months, personnel of NNS Pathfinder were involved in day and night operations across the 23 LGAs of Rivers state to destroy the illegal refining sites with swamp buggies.

    NNS Pathfinder’s Executive Officer, Captain Victor Choji, admitted that the biggest concerns in Rivers State lately were illegal refining of stolen crude oil and the resultant soot.

    He noted that the soot affected everybody, adding that the proactive soot hunters put in place by NNS Pathfinder were already producing results through regular patrols and expansion of intelligence network to identify where materials for illegal refining were being purchased.

    Choji said: “Illegal refining is central to other criminal activities like illegal bunkering, sea piracy, cultism and armed robbery, because money from illegal refining is mostly used to buy speed boats, arms and ammunition for sea piracy and armed robbery. Once illegal refining is stopped with the use of swamp buggies, soot will end and other criminal activities will be curtailed.

    “The ingenuity and intellect of the illegal refiners can be utilised for legitimate businesses or activities. Every human being has the option of doing the right or wrong thing. Government cannot provide everything for everybody.

    “Persons who are involved in illegal activities are either lazy or greedy and want free money. Nigeria is so blessed that there are many legitimate things that hardworking people can do, thereby positively contributing to societal development. People, especially the youth, must look inward. There is no excuse for getting involved in criminal activities.”

  • Gelegele Seaport: Edo, Navy strengthen ties to deliver project

    Gelegele Seaport: Edo, Navy strengthen ties to deliver project

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the Nigerian Navy has provided tremendous backing for the actualisation of the Gelegele Seaport project in the state, as its men are providing support to its foreign partners, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), who are currently conducting feasibility study for the project.

    Obaseki also thanked the Navy for its swift response to security challenges, especially in the coastal areas of the state, noting that these gestures have endeared the Navy to the people of the state.

    Governor Obaseki said these in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Navy Retreat 2018, themed “Optimising Operational Availability of NN fleet” held from February 18 to 20, at the Nigerian Naval Engineering College, Ogorode, Sapele, Delta State.

    According to the governor, “We thank the Nigerian Navy for the continuous support we have received from your men, especially the response squad in the Niger Delta. As you are aware, we are working with some foreign investors who will be building a port at the confluence of the Benin and Ovia Rivers. Your men have provided support and security to these investors as they conduct feasibility study of the project.”

    He hailed the Navy for the foresight in organising the retreat, as it affords policymakers a platform to debate and offer solutions to issues and challenges bedevilling the Navy, noting, “I am impressed to find that this retreat is an assemblage of policymakers and other officers to brainstorm on the challenges they face. I must say that the quality of thought has left me bewildered. The Navy is seeking solutions and this kind of reflections is an indication of an organisation that wants to move forward.”

    In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ebok Ibas, expressed appreciation to Governor Obaseki for his unflinching support for the Nigerian Navy, noting that the Navy’s exploits are fueled by the support it enjoys.

    He disclosed that the Nigerian Navy’s improved presence at sea and in backwaters has improved security, forced criminal elements to relocate to other regions of the Gulf of Guinea and safeguarded Nigeria’s territorial waters.

    According to him, “The Nigerian Navy has adopted innovative strategies to optimise the availability of its fleet for operation. This has not only led to improved security but also in the deployment of its deterrence and surveillance abilities.”

  • IPOB: Nigerian Navy on full alert – Naval Chief

    IPOB: Nigerian Navy on full alert – Naval Chief

    The Nigerian Navy Saturday said it was on full alert to protect Nigeria’s unity in the face of any form of threat generated by the ethnic tension due to the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas who make the declaration in Abuja said the Nigerian Navy has been fully mobilized to maintain the country’s internal security from the maritime domain.

    Vice Admiral Ibas spoke during the Nigerian Navy 3rd Quarter Route March, at the Mogadishu Cantonment, in Abuja, stating that there was no cause for alarm over any tension as the service was carrying out its constitutional duties to protect the nation from the seas.

    The Naval Boss asserted that Naval Special Operations in the Southern part of the country was combat ready to protect Nigeria from the maritime area, emphasising that all would be done for “our economy to boom and for development to come to the country.”

    Represented at the event by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Ibe Enenwo, the Naval Chief noted that the route march was part of the service efforts at keeping personnel physically and mentally fit to carry out their constitutional duties.

    “Even without tasking, we are fully deployed in internal security situations as required by the constitution and for our own peculiar environment, the maritime environment, ” he said.

    He however maintained that the route march was not a parade to respond to the IPOB agitations or threats, insisting that it was meant to keep personnel fit in their line of engagement.

    He also denied that the exercise was carried out in line with the Defence Headquarters’ directive to military services to tackle IPOB’s threats.

    He said : “This exercise is holding simultaneously in all naval locations all over the country, and it was required now that we as military personnel keep fit because for you to execute the demanding task as I have pointed out; things like security challenges are more now than we have before.

    “We need to have our minds together so that we will be able to react to the situation as they emerge.

    “It is a compulsory exercise unless of course, you are excused as a result of due process, maybe medically challenge or you are out of station.

    “And it may interest you to note that at the end of the exercise, we are going to take what I may call roll-call, parade- state to confirm, that all those who were supposed to be here are here and if they are not here, they will pay for it.

    “First of all, they will be required to do their own and add some extra to it as a penalty. That is the minimum punishment for them, “the Naval Chief stated.

  • CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    In its bid to tackle insecurity in Rivers state and in Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday inaugurated Naval War College in Ubima, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, who inaugurated the college, said the facility was temporal.

    He said the college is equipped with state-of-the-art security facility for effective combating of crime in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    “The Navy has relentlessly engaged in massive overhaul of operation support structure, fleet recapitalisation and decency priority.

    “The college will improve both physical and mental proficiency of troops to deal effectively on both land and marine operations across the country,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, described the college as the “highest and most advanced naval training centre’’ in the country.

    He said that aside military equipment; the college had accommodation, medical space and lecture halls, among others.

    “Naval staff would be trained in essential components of naval operations as obtainable in other top naval forces which have committed enormous resources to training.

    “The war college will improve the effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy while expanding knowledge, confidence and operation,” he said.

    Ibas commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Transport Chibuike Amaechi and Gov. Nyesom Wike for providing logistic support for the establishment of the college.

  • We are committed to security on waterways – NAF boss

    We are committed to security on waterways – NAF boss

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, has assured that the Navy will continue to provide adequate security on Nigeria’s waterways.

    Ibas gave the assurance while inaugurating some projects at the Naval Outpost, Odekpe, near Onitsha, Anambra, on Tuesday.

    The projects are an administrative block, armoury, commanding officer’s house, officers’ quarters, senior rates’ quarters, junior rates’ quarters and comprehensive water treatment plant.

    Others are a 33KVA transformer and a 250KVA generator.

    Ibas said that the outpost became necessary as a result of careful evaluation of the security imperatives in the area.

    He recalled that the Federal Government, in 2009, commenced the dredging of River Niger from Lokoja to Onitsha/Asaba.

    “This was aimed at making the river more navigable for commerce to thrive.

    “Additionally, the proposed establishment of strategic infrastructure such as the Green Field Oil Refinery at Itobe, the Inland Water Ports at Lokoja and Onitsha is anticipated to increase marine traffic from Warri to Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    “In this context, the possibilities of the emergence of new security challenges were not far-fetched.

    “This appreciation necessitated the establishment of the Naval presence in the area to curb the envisaged criminal activities and free the largely water dominated environment for legitimate use,” Ibas explained.

    He said that since the establishment of the Onitsha Outpost in 2010, it had operated from a rented accommodation which had been vulnerable and limited in space.

    He said that the new facility would provide an environment conducive to work by personnel and for a greater operational effectiveness of the unit.

    The Navy boss appealed to the Anambra Government to assist in perimeter fencing, road network, drainages and erosion control at the outpost.

    He commended the Federal Government for its support as well as the state government for providing land, gunboats and patrol vehicles towards realising the project.

    In his remarks, the state governor, Mr Willie Obiano, commended the Navy for combating crime in the state, saying that it had helped to arrest some hoodlums who trafficked in arms through the River Niger.

    “Since the inception of my administration, I have had a strong partnership with the Navy and I will continue to render assistance to the outfit subject to availability of funds.

    “We will continue to support the Navy in our little way since you have been playing a critical role in the security of the state.

    “Our assistance will continue as our economy improves,” the governor stated.

    Earlier, the Flag Officer, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, said that the projects were part of the commitments of the Nigerian Navy for a working environment conducive for personnel.

    Garba said the inauguration of the projects marked the relocation from the temporary site to the permanent site.

    The occasion was graced by traditional rulers, other service chiefs, government functionaries as well as indigenes of Odekpe, near Onitsha where the outpost is sited.

  • Navy reaffirms commitment to protecting maritime domain

    Navy reaffirms commitment to protecting maritime domain

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to protect the nation’s maritime domain against piracy and other criminal activities.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS) Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, made the statement while briefing newsmen on the CNS Annual Sea Exercise, Tagged ‘Eagle Eye’ at its’ Headquarters, Abuja.

    He was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Adm. Jacob Ajani, at the Naval Headquarters.

    Ibas said that the exercise would afford the service the opportunity to assess the state of combat readiness of NN in responding to emerging maritime security challenges.

    He said it would also enable the NN to showcase itself to the Nigerian public and the larger Gulf of Guinea.

    According to the CNS, the exercise includes assessing the readiness and operational state of the most NN fleet, as well as testing the capability of the operational commands in the conduct of riverine and choke point regimes.

    Ibas explained further that they would also practice the fleet in tactical manoeuvres and anti-piracy patrols while assessing the engagement capability of NN Special Boat Service (SBS).

    ” The Ex-Eagle Eye will be used to practice the command’s intelligence sharing with other maritime security agencies, especially with respect to surveillance, threat assessment and operational engagement.

    “The Ex-Eagle Eye will also identify inadequacies in skills, training and doctrinal practices in NN operations and assess the effectiveness of NN logistics support practices,” he said.

    Ibas said another objective of the exercise was to raise awareness and develop procedures for implementation of the National Counter-Terrorist Strategy (NACTEST).

    He said that the exercise would also involve the Harmonised Standard Operating
    Procedure (HSOP) on arrest, detention and prosecution of vessels as well as owners involved in maritime crimes.

    “The Ex-Eagle Eye is set against the background of a myriad of threats and insecurity within and around the nation’s maritime which have challenged the operational capability and capacity of NN.

    ” The exercise will go a long way in making the nation’s maritime domain free of crimes,” he said.

    The CNS noted that the undesirable security trend had compelled NN to take actions in response to the situation by activating a number of operational initiatives, such as ” Operation Tsare Teku”.

    He said all these efforts were geared toward making the nation’s maritime domain free from piracy and other related crimes.