The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Flag Officer Commanding (FOC)

  • Expect postings to war zones, navy boss tells officers

    Expect postings to war zones, navy boss tells officers

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command  (NAVTRAC) Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile on Monday told his officers to be prepared to serve in theatres of operations across the country.

    Ofodile stated this at the decoration of seven officers who were recently promoted by the Nigerian Navy (NN).

    Among the decorated officers were Commodores Christie Opara Kenedy Ezete and Adejimi Adesanya, Commander Abdullahi Saju and Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Munisola Ademuluti.

    Congratulating the officers for the elevation in their careers, Ofodile reminded them of the huge responsibilities associated with their new ranks.

    He said: “You have all been in the navy and understand that promotion is not easy,  especially at this level where selection comes in.

    It is not about meeting all the criteria but about space. The space is always highly restricted.

    “So, as you enjoy the benefits that come with your new status, have it in mind that you are likely to be moved from your current posting. You could find yourselves in any of the theatres of operations.

    “You are expected to perform your best and make the NN proud. You must prove to the service that no mistake has been made by promoting you. Much is expected of you and I pray that you all surpass our expectations.”

  • 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 to militants: Embrace dialogue

    Navy to militants: Embrace dialogue

    The Nigerian Navy has asked the Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue and stop bombings of oil installations in the region.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, spoke Saturday when he led a medical outreach to Etegwe community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    Garba argued that if militants failed to embrace dialogue and continued with their criminal activities, they would lose public sympathy.

    He explained that the free medical rhapsody was part of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility aimed at boosting civil-military relations.

    Garba said: “I expect the people to remember that struggle is not drawing a line and make it look like a kind of crusading spirit. There must be ways of reaching compromises and concessions.

    “And you can only reach those compromises and concessions through dialogue. The government has already given room for dialogue, so let them embrace it. If they embrace it, it is better for the society and Nigeria at large.

    “But if they refuse to go into dialogue, there might be a tendency that that sympathy they are gaining from the people will be lost and it means they are now surrendering the call for peace to chaos and violence which is not good for the society.”

    He noted that the medical mission was one of the key priorities of the Chief of Naval Staff to bring the navy closer to the people within the maritime environment.

    He said the free medical mission was carried out monthly to test and treat health challenges of the people such as malaria, typhoid fever, high blood pressure, diabetes, among others.

    Garba said: “It will be delightful to let you know that today is the sixth time we are offering free medical services to communities in Yenagoa and environs. The CNS is instrumental to the sustenance of this rhapsody every month.

    “Navy is a part and parcel of the community. We feel we are blood brothers. So, one Nigeria is a vital issue to all the military personnel. That is why we feel that we must have a way of reaching the communities though this medical rhapsody and inauguration of projects.”

    In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Etegwe community, King Todumema Geoffrey, said the free medical mission was the first in the history of the community.

    The monarch asked youths to desist from pipeline vandalism and destruction of critical national assets, saying that such tendencies would not bring development to the Niger Delta region.

    “We want to appreciate the Navy for the gesture. I want to warn those involved in blowing up pipelines and other criminal activities to desist from such acts. They are uncalled for. We need development in our region,” he said.

  • Why pirates, oil thieves fled Lagos waters

    Why pirates, oil thieves fled Lagos waters

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) has attributed the decrease in maritime crimes around Lagos waters to the termination of sea blindness.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai stated this on Friday during a tour of units and formations under his command.

    Bobai who acknowledged the drastic reduction of crimes within western waters, said the criminals were aware that they were being monitored real time through the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and Falcon Eye facilities.

    He said: “Before now, we were a bit sea blind. We could not see beyond our noses. But with the RMAC and Falcon Eye facilities, we can see real time what is happening in our domain. So, we have used that to our advantage.

    “The moment we pick up illegality, we deploy vessels to the place and identify the exact spot and arrest the culprits. The people are now aware that we can see them, and so, they are keeping off to avoid being arrested.

    He commended the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas for his commitment to better personnel welfare, attributing the newly constructed gym, upgraded Junior Rates’ Mess and Ratings Arcade at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT to the naval chief’s vision.

    On his visit to the naval post at Tongeji Island and Forward Operations Base (FOB) Badagry, Bobai said the tours were preparatory to the CNS’ annual shore and sea inspections.

    He urged the Ogun State government to provide access road in the island, noting that it would promote trade and commerce in the border community.

    “We promised to renovate the only primary school in the island and we have done that. On the construction of access road, the navy can only discus with the relevant authorities saddled with the responsibility of providing such infrastructure.

    “By way of doing that, I have mentioned it to the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun when I visited. He said he was going to look into it. He has not been to Tongeji Island before and one of the obstacles preventing him is the fact that he has to go through Benin Republic.

    “If the local or state government can take over the project, I believe that the political will is germane in realising the construction of access road in the island so that all beneficiaries can use the road to facilitate trade and commerce.

    “There are some elements of crude oil in Tongeji Island and so, the Ogun State government should take a queue from its Lagos counterpart to utilise that opportunity and see how exploration can be taken there so that the state can begin to enjoy the benefits of an oil producing state.”