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Tag: Navy

  • Why we destroyed vessel laden with stolen oil, by Navy

    Why we destroyed vessel laden with stolen oil, by Navy

    • Your allegations unfounded, service replies vessel owners

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) has described as unfounded, spurious and baseless the allegation by owners of a Merchant Vessel (MV) CECELIA that it was seized and burnt by naval operatives.

    It said the vessel, which was arrested on August 15, had generated interest and was being tracked for alleged oil theft.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said the vessel had been alongside for two years and was allegedly used as storage for illegal Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or diesel) until it was arrested.

    The statement said: “The vessel was arrested on August 15, 2023 with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO at Meco Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following an operation by the Naval Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS).

    Read Also: Why we set ablaze vessel laden with stolen diesel – Navy

    “A press interview was conducted immediately after the arrest. However, the owners of the vessel remained at large. Subsequently, the sample of the products onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory analysis and it was discovered to be illicit AGO.

    “Pertinently, the owners of the vessel were at large and did not present themselves to witness the test in line with extant procedure.

    “The behaviour of the alleged owner is not surprising, as it has been the practice among oil thieves. In some cases where vessels involved in oil theft are arrested, the owners abscond, leaving the Nigerian Navy to bear the cost of keeping and sustaining the vessels.

    “This has cost the nation huge sums of money and has constituted serious national security problems. Most of the vessels either sink alongside the jetty or within the channel, constituting serious navigational hazards.

    “These abandoned vessels have been the major reason the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), in the past, declared the nation’s ports/waterways as the most unsafe ports in the region.

    “This has been a contributing factor to the high insurance premium on ships operating in Nigerian waters with negative impact on the nation’s economy.”

    The statement said the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have spent huge sums of money in clearing the wrecks of abandoned vessels used for oil theft in the nation’s waterways.

    He said: “The public is to note that MV CECELIA has not been operational and has been alongside for about two years. At the time of the arrest, the vessel was laden with about 250,000 litres of illicit AGO.

    “So far, three suspects have been arrested and have made useful statements while the alleged owners remained at large.

    “Additionally, the vessel has no Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) or any other regulatory approval to serve as an AGO storage facility. This fact is clearly known to the Nigerian Navy and OPDS as all approved storage facilities are usually communicated to naval headquarters by relevant agencies for monitoring…”

  • Why we set ablaze vessel laden with stolen diesel – Navy

    Why we set ablaze vessel laden with stolen diesel – Navy

    The Nigerian Navy has said that it set ablaze the Merchant Vessel CECELIA in accordance with extant procedure regarding seized vessels with stolen oil.

    The move was also informed due to serious navigational hazards, huge financial cost, and serious national security problems caused by abandoned ships, Navy’s spokesperson, Ayo-Vaughan, said in a statement yesterday.

    The vessel was arrested by the Naval component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) on 15 August 2023 with 250,000 liters of product suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO), popularly called diesel, at Meco Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    According to, Vaughan, upon the arrest, the sample of the products onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory analysis and was discovered to be illicit AGO, but “the owners of the vessel were at large and did not present themselves to witness the test in line with extant procedure.”

    He said: “The behaviour of the alleged owner is not surprising, as it has been the practice among oil thieves. In some cases where vessels involved in oil theft are arrested, the owners abscond leaving the Nigerian Navy to bear the cost of keeping and sustaining the vessels. This has cost the nation huge sums of money and has constituted serious national security problems.

    “Most of the vessels either sink alongside the jetty or within the channel constituting serious navigational hazards. These abandoned vessels have been the major reason why the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the past, declared the nation’s ports/waterways as the most unsafe ports in the region. 

    “This has been a contributing factor to the high insurance premium on ships operating in Nigerian waters with a negative impact on the nation’s economy.

    Read Also: Navy warns against fraudulent admission forms

    “Suffice to state that the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Navy have expended huge sums of money in the clearing of wrecks in the waterways that resulted from abandoned vessels engaged in oil theft.”

    Vaughan said so far three suspects have been arrested and have made useful statements, while the alleged owners remained at large.

    “One of the suspects revealed that they usually bring illegally refined AGO in ‘Cotonou’ (large wooden) boats and Geepee tanks and offload into MV CECELIA pending when it will be sold to unsuspecting members of the public.”

  • Navy warns against fraudulent admission forms

    Navy warns against fraudulent admission forms

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) has distanced itself from the sale of fake admission forms into its College of Health Sciences and Technology, Offa, Kwara State.

    It described as phony and fraudulent, the online advertisement which asked interested persons to pay N15,000 for the form into a designated account.

    A statement last night by the Director, Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, warned the public to be wary of such advertisements, stressing that the college was exclusively for naval personnel and not open to civilians.

    He said: “The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to a fraudulent online advertisement/sale of admission forms for the Nigerian Navy College of Health Sciences and Technology Offa, Kwara State to unsuspecting members of the public.

    Read Also: Bauchi housewife held for ‘killing co-wife’s newborn’

    “The fake advertisement fixed the cost of obtaining admission forms at the rate of N15,000 while the school fees are stipulated as N186,850. The criminals further directed all payments for the forms and school fees to be lodged into a First Bank of Nigeria Account Number 3162014359 bearing a pseudo account name; Lieutenant Inusa Endurance and with phone number 09134510613.

    “Also, the phony advertisement contains the contacts of a self-proclaimed Public Relations Officer’s phone contact; 09134483230 & 09134510613 and the scheduled date for interview/test as fixed by the miscreants is to hold from 4 – 15 September 2023.

    “Pertinently, Nigerian Navy College of Health Sciences (NNCHS) Offa, Kwara State is a professional naval institution exclusively for Nigerian Navy (NN) medical personnel and not for civilians hence the college has no basis to advertise sales of admission forms to members of the public.

    “The names and phone numbers as mentioned above are all fraudulent, meant to deceive individuals and have nothing to do with the NN or the NNCHS, Offa.

    “Accordingly, members of the public especially prospective individuals are enjoined to always verify from www.nigeriannavy.mil.ng and other credible sources before committing their hard-earned resources in such fraudulent venture.”

  • Navy to operatives: Shun drugs, embrace regular exercise

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Saturday warned its personnel to stay away from drugs in order to perform their assigned tasks optimally.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) Rear Admiral Stanfford Enoch gave the warning after the quarterly 10km route march designed to test the physical and mental fitness of officers and ratings of the NN.

    The FOC who was represented by the command’s Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Rear Admiral Idowu Yusuf said the warning was necessary giving the scourge of drug abuse the country was currently battling.

    According to him, the navy must not wait until a became a problem in the service before warning its personnel, reminding them of the peculiarity of the naval force and the need to be psychologically, physically and mentally alert at all times.

    Read Also: Navy unveils first indigenous maritime chart

    Enoch also warned the operatives to avoid practices, actions that could bring the navy to disrepute including flaunting traffic laws in any part of the country especially Lagos.

    He said the command would not hesitate to sanction any of its operatives caught disobeying traffic laws, reminding them that the military uniform does not give them immunity from punishment if they commit any crime.

    On the route march, the FOC said the exercise which brings all units and formations under the command together once a quarter was in line with directives from the naval headquarters.

    He said the aim was to assess their physical fitness, mental alertness, stamina and psychological disposition, applauding the about 1,000 personnel who partook in it for exhibiting combat readiness. The Western Naval Command (WNC) also had its quarterly route march inside Navy Town Ojo which was led by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Rear Admiral Oladele Daji.

  • Navy to acquire more platforms to fight crime, says CNS

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday said it will acquire more platforms, including helicopters and fast interceptor boats, among others, to strengthen its operations in years ahead.

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, stated this in Abuja, the nation’s capital, while addressing reporters on activities lined up for the 63rd anniversary celebration of the Navy.

    Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Bee Ibe-Enwo, the CNS said pirates’ activities, sea robbery and other criminal acts had reduced in the past four years due to the operations carried out by the military in the nation’s maritime domain.

    He said: “A major impediment to the efficiency of the NN at enhancing maritime security has been the inadequacy of effectors to respond to maritime security incidents. Within the period under review, this impediment has received constant and continuous attention through the acquisition of more platforms.

    “Noteworthy is the acquisition of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) – NNS Centenary and NNS Unity from China. The NN also inaugurated its second locally-built Seaward Defence Boat (SDB), NNS Karaduwa, during the period.

    “Furthermore, six OCEA Seaward Defence Boats (SDBs), namely NNS Nguru, Shiroro, Ekulu, Ose, Gongola and Calabra, were procured while over 200 riverine patrol boats were inducted for seaward and riverine operations.

    “The NN has also begun negotiations that would culminate in the procurement of a 100m Landing Ship Tank (LST) by June 2020 and 4 by 17 metres Fast Interceptor Boats (FIBs), which are expected to be delivered by November 2019.

    “The NN is also expecting the delivery of an offshore survey vessel in December 2019, while efforts are ongoing to acquire more helicopters for the NN Air Arm.”

    On the achievements of the Navy at figting crime on the nation’s waters, Ibas said: “There has been a reduction in reported cases of pirate/sea robbery attacks within Nigeria’s maritime domain. As records indicate, in 2016, a total of 77 pirate attacks were reported with 37, representing 48 per cent of the attacks, unsuccessful.

  • Navy to establish warrant officers academy

    Plans are underway to establish a Warrant Officers’ (WO) Academy to address challenges of command and control among order ranks in the Nigerian Navy (NN), the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has said.

    Admiral Ibas spoke at the weekend at the closing ceremony of a two-day WOs convention, with the theme: Responsive Warrant Officers’ Leadership and Operational efficiency in the Nigerian Navy, at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) QUORRA in Apapa, Lagos.

    The CNS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe-Enwo, said the navy believed in continuous service training and retraining to reinforce discipline, naval traditions and etiquette among the lower ranks.

    He said the navy was also making efforts to ensure the personnel stay motivated, adding that plans were on to ensure they have decent houses when they retire.

    Ibas said: “Yes, we have identified some of the challenges affecting the WO cadre and proffered solutions to them. One of the solutions is the need to establish a Warrant Officers’ Academy within the NN to help reinforce in a more formal setting of a training environment, some of the things we have discussed.

    “I cannot say this is exactly when it would be established because many things have to be considered, such as cost, location.

    “For a start, we are going to leverage on the one established by the army to take more personnel in this cadre for training. Otherwise, the system has also done a lot to ensure that the WOs play their roles. One of those things is to encourage them to begin to imbibe and to bring out those things they have been taught so that they can impact on the workforce of the NN, that is, the junior rates, more affirmatively so that the job will be better for it.

    “The focus for us is to bring out something that is already in them. We want to put them back into the leadership structure of the NN.

    “The issue of motivation came up and personal home ownership is dear to their heart. We are working on seeing how we can get very affordable models and, perhaps, leverage on our compressed air block, which is more cost effective.

    “Some work has been done in this regard but we are going to give it more impetus to see how we can get.

    “Two-bedroom or three-bedroom within N2.5 million or N3 million, such that by the time these personnel have served 16 to 20 years, they would have defrayed the cost of the accommodation and will have retirement home.

    “I am, therefore, pleased to state that the set objective of the convention has been largely met. Indeed, I believe many good experiences have been shared and good lessons learnt.”

  • Navy tackles fraud

    The Navy has intensified measures to eliminate fraud within its budgetary system, in line with the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government.

    The Naval Chief of Accounts and Budget, Commodore K.M. Bushi, has been deployed in the naval headquarters and bases to educate officers in charge of account and budget on the new strategies to deepen transparency in the system.

    Bushi and his team of professional accountants at the weekend held a training session with the principal staff officers at the Headquarters, Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State.

    The team, which exposed accountants in the command to the modern drive of prudent management of resources, was received by the Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Jaso Gbassa.

    The Acting Director, Directorate of Non-Public Fund, Acting Assistant, Director of Budget and other officers of the directorate in the command attended the training.

    Bushi stressed the need for professionalism and strict adherence to ethics in handling naval accounting system.

    He said the        Navy must key into the new drive for prudent management of resources, to ensure zero tolerance for corruption.

    Bushi said: “I just deem it fit to talk to my accountants in the Navy so that we key into the modern drive of prudent management of resources at all levels. So, I decided to go out to educate them on the need for professionalism and upholding the ethic of professional accounting in the Navy.

    “I think with the training, the accountants are well mobilised in making sure that financial records are properly kept and the ethics of professional accounting are upheld. It will make an impact in the manners and ways we mobilise our funds.                                                    “Of course, what we are doing is to make sure that crimes are not committed. This is why we go round to sensitise them so that at the grassroots, the clerks, accountants and all the people involved in keeping financial records are kept abreast of the accounting standard. This will enable us to ensure that we keep fraud free from our records.”                                  Gbassa said the military was built around personnel, who must be well trained to understand the reason for being separate from the larger society and give up their freedom and their lives to serve the nation.

    Hailing Bushi for the new measures, Gbassa explained that guided by strict rules and regulations, the Navy would never joke with training of its personnel for optimum performance.

    He said: “We want to see improved performance. We want to see adherence to guidelines. We want to see a system without fraud. But if there is, it should be minimal and easily detected.

    “We want to see personnel who are self-improved and who work according to laid down principles. That way the finances of the Navy can be accounted for at every stratum of our operations.”

  • Crackdown: Nigerian Navy arrests 19 imposters in 3 Month

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Sunday said its operatives had arrested a total of 19 imposters in the First Quarter of 2019.

    Navy spokesman, Commodore Suleman Dahun,made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    A breakdown of those arrested criminals  given by the spokesman showed that 13 were arrested in Calabar/Ikang area; 5 in Yenogoa/Port Harcourt area and 1 in Lagos area.

    Dahun said: ” Typically, these criminals were arrested either in possession of fake Navy ID Card or dressed in Navy uniforms (Camouflage or Blue Rig).”

    He warned that wearing and illegal possession of military accoutrements is unlawful and punishable under the Nigerian Criminal Code.

    ” For the avoidance of doubt, the NN wishes to inform the general public that wearing and illegal possession of military accoutrements is unlawful and punishable under Section 109, 110 and 251 of Nigerian Criminal Code.

    He advised members of the public not to patronise such unscrupulous individuals in any engagement.

    ” The general public is also advised to report to the nearest Naval, Army, Air Force or Police unit any suspicious individual wearing a naval uniform and engaging in non-military or naval duties,” he said (NAN)

  • Militants, smugglers won’t be tolerated, Navy warns

    The Commander of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar, Cross River State, Commodore Vincent Okeke, has warned that militants, smugglers and oil bunkerers, will not be tolerated within his area of operation.

    Okeke spoke yesterday at the NNS Victory jetty after handing over 724 bags of foreign rice worth about N13 million and eight suspects to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    According to him, the suspects and items were arrested in two large wooden boats, popularly known as Cotonou Boat, on the Calabar Channel by his men on patrol.

    The Commander said they were heading for Akwa Ibom State from neighbouring Cameroon.

    He said: “We are handing them over as expected to the Customs for further investigations and prosecution. The message is clear. For this to happen shortly after my resumption means they want to test my will. I can promise them I am equal to the task. Militants, smugglers, bunkerers should all stay away. I will not tolerate any such thing in my area of operation.

    “Our work here is to make our waters safe. We have maintained 24 hours patrol along the Calabar Channel. I assure all well meaning Nigerians and seafarers that the water is safe for them.”

    The Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Eastern Marine Command, Calabar, Gabriel Johnson, was happy with the relationship between the Navy and the Customs.

    He said: “We are elated about the relationship with the Navy. These waterways are not safe for any smuggler. We would work with the Navy to make sure they do not have their way.”

    According to him, there would be further investigation after which the suspects would be prosecuted and the bags of rice confiscated by the Federal Government.

  • Navy arrests seven suspected smugglers

    Seven suspected smugglers have been arrested and 470 bags of contraband rice impounded by the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    The Navy said the arrests were carried out in two operations, adding that five suspects and their wooden boat were intercepted while on retinue patrol and 308 bags of 50kg rice found with them.

    It said other two suspects were intercepted with 162 bags of 50kg rice reportedly brought in from the Republic of Cameroon.