The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Sadau Abdulkadir has said that those who sabotage the nation’s economy through illegal bunkering will be dealt with ruthlessly.
He also advised the personnel to adhere strictly to professional ethics in the onslaught against oil thieves and other criminals operating in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Abdulkadir stated this in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when he visited the state in continuation of his familiarisation tour to Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states that make up his operational command.
At Onne Sea Port in Eleme Local Government Area, he was received by the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Commodore Sanusi Kas, and other top naval officers. There, he inspected some naval facilities, including NNS Thunder, the flagship of the Eastern Naval Command and other ships.
He later addressed officers and men at a conference hall of the ship.
Addressing them, he said though there are some “few” bad eggs in the military and the police, who would soon be identified and flushed out, there are still good ones who should be encouraged to perform their duties excellently.
He also stated that the Navy had zero-tolerance for illegalities, especially sea robberies, piracy, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
Abdulkadir said: “Discipline is what the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe-Ibas has continuously stressed. We must aspire to be disciplined. We must realise that at all levels, we are leaders. We must obey the channels of command. We must be very proficient in what we are doing. That will be the only reason why our subordinates will have respect for us.
“There are standard operating procedures for doing most of the things we do. We will continue to train our personnel and train ourselves so that we get acquainted with what we are supposed to do at all times; whether at harbour or at sea.”
On military/civilians relationship, the naval chief said there the military deserves respect from the civilians who also deserve respect from the military. There must be mutual trust and respect between the two.
He further said: “When you make an arrest, you do it in such a manner that you do not infringe on the rights of those you are arresting and in a manner that meets international best practices.
“One thing that has been resolved among the three services (Navy, Army and Air force) and the police is that although the majority of us are law-abiding, we still have a few bad eggs in our midst and these bad eggs can mar all our achievements and everything that is supposed to be positive in what we are doing. Service Chiefs, the police and the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, have agreed that there should be maximum esprit de corps between the services, the police and other agencies.
He said the naval officers and men must be willing to collaborate with government and other agencies to equip their ships, to make them more functional, provide them with adequate welfare that they needed to perform their duties.
Abdulkadir said: “We also believe strongly that for us to carry out those responsibilities that the nation expects of us, every rating and officer has roles to play.
“We operate in an environment where we have our civilian brothers and sisters. We must learn to strictly abide by the rules so that we do not infringe on their rights and also do not compromise what is desirable for us to do.
“We should also take advantage of the civilian environment and other agencies to build enough intelligence. That will make our job even much easier. But that cannot be achieved if we do not have very good relationship with our civilians and other agencies that we will be collaborating with.”
He also stated that to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta, emphasis would be placed on training of the personnel.
While commenting on naval personnel’s involvement in illegal bunkering, Abdulkadir said: “We must take cognisance of the fact that in every environment, there is likely to be a few bad eggs. If we find any of our personnel directly or indirectly assisting or participating in illegal acts, we will treat him or her as an offender.
“I assure you that there will be little of these situations. All the men are attuned to the new policy direction on the need to fight the menace entirely.”
On his plan to battle sea robberies and piracy on the waterways, he urged other users of the creeks to give useful and timely information to the Navy when they notice any strange movement in their areas. Abdulkadir stressed that his command was very much aligned to community intelligence and policing, while also welcoming information from the stakeholders.
After addressing the naval personnel, he moved to the Government House, Port Harcourt to meet with Governor Nyesom Wike.
Governor Wike, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo promised to partner the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to ensure that the waterways were well protected and safe for socio-economic activities.
He noted that Rivers State had the political will to provide every logistic support needed to fight criminality at the creeks, coastal areas and adjoining rivers in the Niger Delta region.
Wike said: “We are ready to eliminate all forms of criminal practices such as illegal bunkering and destruction of our oil installations.
“We want to build investors’ confidence. The Rivers State Government is creating a secure and favourable environment for investment and development.”
Governor Wike also stated that the collaboration between the state government and the security agencies would create the enabling environment for economic activities to strive and open up windows of opportunities for investors, promote employment generation and development.”
The FOC had earlier noted that the essence of his visit was to assess the situation on ground, with a view to proffering solutions to challenges on the waterways.
The naval chief praised Wike for his commitment to fighting crime in Rivers State. He pledged his support and collaboration with the state government.
Abdulkadir also called on the government and the public to always assist the naval officers and men with timely and useful information that would help them in combating crime.
Abdulkadir and others made a stopover near Okrika to inspect a 3,000 metric tons ship, M.T. Everest, Lagos and 12 crew members, earlier arrested and detained for illegal bunkering by naval personnel. They were arrested on October 2, this year.
He urged residents in the neighbourhood to always help the Navy with timely and useful information, especially as it affects crude oil theft and illegal bunkering. He assured that the identities of the informant would be adequately protected.
He said: “Those that are in it (illegal bunkering), should find some other means of livelihood and let the majority of the populace of the country enjoy these facilities that are available for all of us.”
While at the base of the NLNG, Abdulkadir visited the monarch of the Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple, who is former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The FOC was received by the Chairman of Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief Orwell Amin Manilla-Pepple, a retired Army Colonel, in company with some eminent chiefs, at the conference hall of the monarch.
While addressing the chiefs, Abdulkadir said he was on familiarisation tour of the states and facilities under his command. He said security in Bonny, the neighbouring villages and adjoining waterways would be enhanced in order to tackle illegal bunkering and sea piracy head on.
Responding, Manilla-Pepple expressed displeasure over the non-linkage of Bonny by road, in spite of the island’s richness in crude oil and gas, the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. He noted that members of staff of many oil companies and servicing firms in the area prefer to travel by air or water.
In an emotion-laden voice, he lamented that sea pirates had made life unbearable for the people of the Island. He therefore called for more surveillance by the Navy and other security personnel.
As the late-night journey in the two gunboats continued, there was an encounter with armed illegal bunkerers operating at Isaka, a riverside community.
When the oil thieves saw the gunboats, one of them jumped into the river.
Then the battle between the illegal bunkerers and the naval troops began. It was led by NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operations Officer, Commander Innocent Chidi Ejiofor. However, there was no casualty.
The other gunboat was used to confront the hoodlums, who eventually ran away, leaving behind a big Cotonou Boat containing 105 drums of automated gas oil (diesel).
