The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Navy

  • Navy, 24 others join forces against piracy, oil theft

    THE Nigerian Navy (NN) and its counterparts from 24 other countries yesterday began a multinational sea exercise against piracy, oil theft and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).

    The exercise, codenamed OBANGAME EXPRESS 2018, was initiated by the United States of America (U.S.) in 2010 to boost capacity of West and Central African nations’ navies in tackling vessel hijack and hostage-taking at sea.

    Flagging off Nigeria’s phase of the exercise at Onne Port, Rivers State, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the said NN deployed four vessels and two helicopters for this year’s exercise, adding that the deployment was done in line with navy’s core expectations.

    Ibas, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation  (CTRANS), Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo, said the NN would carry out at least four exercise scenarios, adding that the French and Portuguese navies would have join simulations within the nation’s territorial waters.

    Twelve of the participating navies are from the GOG nations. Eleven are from countries in Europe and America, including United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, France, The Netherlands and USA.

    Also, participating in the exercise are the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Economic Community of Central African States (ECAS), U.S. Africa Command, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency  (NIMASA)  and others.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Security: Akeredolu donates 10 speed boats to Navy

    The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has appealed to repentant militants who submitted their arms and ammunition during the ongoing amnesty programme to be patient with the state government.

    Akeredolu, who was speaking during the presentation of 10 speed boats to the Naval Operational Base in Igbokoda Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, restated the commitment of his administration to ensure that the repentant armed bandits are incorporated into the federal government amnesty programme.

    He said the new speed boats, purchased by the state was part of the efforts to enable the security agents to properly man the waterways.

    The governor, who noted that the speed boats that would complement the naval officers’ gun boats and will enable them to maneuver their ways into the shallow creeks when chasing criminals, promised that his administration would continue to give necessary support to the security operatives in order for him to achieve his aim of making the state investors-friendly.

    It will be recalled that on November 9, 2017, Akeredolu proclaimed amnesty for militants, who are willing to drop their arms and ammunition and also promised them that they would be incorporated into the federal government amnesty programme.

    The State Amnesty Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, worked tirelessly to ensure that the armed bandits dropped their weapons within the 21 days stipulated for collection and documentation of arms and ammunition.

    Since then, the ex-militants have been nursing the fear of being short-changed.

    While addressing them, Akeredolu said he was aware of their worries, assuring them that the state government would fulfill its own part of the bargain.

    His words, “I know they have been crying because of their own perspective that we have not delivered on our words. The amnesty programme does not begin with the state and it will not end with the state government.

    “Ours is to ensure the baby is delivered and we have delivered you (baby) to the federal government.

  • Navy, Immigration arrest 10 ‘stowaways’

    Nine Nigerians and a Niger Republic national trying to enter Europe illegally have been arrested by security operatives in Lagos.

    The suspects were apprehended inside two Merchant Vessels- MV MSC PAOLA and MV MAERSK CHANNIA – by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) respectively.

    It was gathered that five of the suspects, were apprehended by naval personnel during routine patrol on Monday, while others were caught by NIS officers on Sunday by the Fairway Buoy.

    The suspects, it was learnt, got into the vessels with the help of local fishermen, not knowing that foreign ships only sailed within West African waters.

    Parading the suspects on Wednesday, NIS Lagos Seaport and Marine Comptroller, Modupe Anyalechi, said those arrested on Sunday were discovered inside a rudder truck of MV MSC PAOLA.

    Anyalechi listed the suspects as Orire Popoola, Kelvin Wessey, Erukudami Moses, Odiyeye Abiye, Agba Victor, Odogwu Michael, Kelly Onikan, Pope Ekele, Asumah Ukpere and Wessem Nasuru.

    She said: “Our efforts have made it almost impossible for stowaways to access vessels from the quayside; hence, they now resort to using canoes with the assistance of fishermen, to get into vessels through the propellers when the vessels are gradually sailing to the high sea along the channel.

    “This was confirmed in the confession of the stowaways. Their reason for this act, as they claimed, was in search of greener pastures in Europe and the western world. Unknown to them, some of these vessels are coastal ships, whose activities are limited to West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.”

    One of the suspects, Odogun, an artiste, said he had been performing at different shows without making headway in life, adding that he thought the risk would change his destiny for the better.

    He said: “I do not hate my country and I am not trying to run away from Nigeria. I just needed a place where I can find help. I am an artiste and I have gone for many shows without making it. I am not aware of the risk I took; but I believed whatever the risk involved, God would save me and I would not die. And thankfully, I did not die even when I was apprehended by my own government. My mother died two months ago and my father is crippled. I am the first child of my father and my only brother is in the village.”

    Popoola, 28, admitted his boarded the vessel in search of better life, adding that he went in as individual.

    The suspect said he had thought the vessel was Europe bound, adding that he was prepared to risk it all to go overseas.

    He said: “I will take any risk to find my way out of Nigeria. I have no job. I am doing nothing. I believe if I can follow a ship to Europe, I can be anything I want to be. I thought the ship was going to Holland or anywhere in Europe where I could make it.”

    Wessey, 24, who claimed to be a Lagos State indigene, said he wanted to leave the country to play for a football club in Europe.

    He said: “I have been suffering for many years to be somebody in life, but no way. I am a footballer; but I don’t have connection. I want to play for big clubs in Europe. I know Nigeria has academies here, but I don’t have any connection. I felt if taking this risk will make me achieve in life, then so be it. I know I could have died while doing this. But I did it on purpose.

    “I lost my mother in October 2017. I have no relative or helper. I cannot steal or rob or carry gun, which I believe will be adding hardship to my life. I will rather take the risk of going abroad to be somebody in life. Now that I have been arrested, only God knows what will happen to me.”

    Opere said he had been frustrated by joblessness, adding that his attempt at joining the Immigration Service had been futile due to lack of funds.

    He said: “I thought the ship was going to the western world. The life I am living in Nigeria is meaningless. I have looked for jobs in many companies in Lagos without getting any. When I got the recruitment form to join Immigration, I could not process it because I didn’t have money and my parents are dead. This is the reason I wanted to try my best to get there. I know that if I get there, I will find a better life for myself than the one I am living here.”

  • Navy arrests three for alleged bunkering

    •Boat, engines seized

    The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Navy at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State has arrested three suspects for alleged bunkering of automobile gas and oil (AGO).

    The Commanding Officer, Cpt. Yusuf Idris, who said the seized 406 drums of AGO was worth N23 million, added that his men confiscated five outboard engines, four pumping machines and a boat.

    Idris, handing over the suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said they were apprehended on March 6 at 8pm.

    He said the Navy would remain committed to its mandate of protecting the waterways against crime and protecting the economy against illegitimate maritime activities.

    Idris assured legitimate maritime business owners of the Navy’s protection and assistance, warning those engaging in illegitimate ventures of the command’s determination to stop their activities.

    He said: “I will like to hand over three suspects arrested by our men and patrol team on March 6 about 2000 hours (8pm). They were caught in a boat with products suspected to be illegally-refined AGO in about 406 drums. Other items in the boat, including five outboard engines and four pumping machines, were also recovered from the suspects.

    “The Navy is out to stop illegalities and arrest the perpetrators. We have arrested suspects.

    “Those engaged in legitimate business need not to be afraid. We will protect and assist them as they go about their activities. But we will go after criminals until we rid our waterways of crimes.

    “The Navy’s high command is always ready to assist us in whatever capacity to ensure the economy is not sabotaged.”

    Responding on behalf of the state Commandant of NSCDC, Mrs. Obiangeli Obiajulo, the Divisional Officer in Mbo Local Government, Mr. James Udeme, praised the Navy for the suspects it handed over to the corps and promised that they would be prosecuted.

    He said: “I use this medium to thank the Navy for its synergy and collaboration, especially for its confidence in us by handing over the suspects to us. We promise that they will be prosecuted.”

    One of the suspects, Mr. Wisdom Effiong, from Mbo Local Government, who claimed it was his first time of involving in illegal bunkering, said he brought in the products from Rivers State.

    Said he: “I don’t know the products are contrabands because this is my first time of involving in this business. I agreed to do the job because since last November when I lost my motorcycle at gunpoint to thieves, I have not been working. I was a motorcycle rider. I have a family to take care of. Mr. Antai sent me to bring in the products from Rivers State.”

     

  • Navy begins enforcement of ‘quit Lagos bridges order’

    The Navy has commenced the enforcement of a military/ state government order for truck to be removed from Lagos bridges.

    The truck drivers last Wednesday got a 48-hour deadline to relocate their vehicles.

    The ultimatum was issued during a stakeholders meeting at the Apapa Headquarters of the Western Naval Command (WNC).

    The stakeholders warned that the trucks’ presence on the bridges constituted a security and safety risk.

    Yesterday, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah told The Nation that his men would begin an operation to remove non-compliant vehicles.

    The Nation observed that some truck drivers are yet to comply.

    At 4:50pm yesterday, long queues of articulated vehicles were at a standstill on the Iganmu Bridge.

    A Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no signs of compliance.

    “As you can see, they are still here. This is their house. They don’t move. They sleep here, eat here; they do everything here,” he said.

    On the short bridge on Apapa-Oworonsoki Expressway near Mile Two, a few trucks were at a standstill. The situation was the same on Berger Car Depot Bridge a few metres away.

    But at Sunrise Bridge on the Apapa-Oworonsoki Expressway, some police officers told our reporter that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tankers parked there were temporary.

    “They load their trucks and leave,” one of the officers said.

    On Eko Bridge, a long line of Dangote Group trucks stretched over 100 metres towards the Apapa Wharf.

    But one of the drivers, who identified himself as Isah, said the firm’s trucks were being moved twenty apiece into its premises at the wharf.

    “Manager dey move the trucks 20, 20,” Isah said in pidgin English.

    According to him, 60 trucks had already gone in.

    There was, however, full compliance on the Ojuelegba and National Stadium bridges. Not a single truck was found on the road yesterday afternoon.

    The situation was similar on the Ebute Ero Bridge area near Lagos Island. The Alaka Bridge was also clear of trucks.

    Apart from Rear Admiral Abbah, those who attended Wednesday’s meeting include: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Dr. Taiwo Salau; Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army (NA), Brig.-Gen. Adiku Attu; Base Commander, Nigerian Air Force  (NAF) Air Commodore Mike Olatunji.

    Also present were a Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) manager, Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, representatives of Dangote Group, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), containerised truck drivers, Apapa Residents Association, the police and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).Abbah said the trucks’ presence on the bridges could be easy targets for terrorists.

    The FOC warned that the bridges could collapse because of the static weight they had been forced to carry for over a decade.

  • Navy seeks new ways to combat maritime threats

    Navy seeks new ways to combat maritime threats

    The Nigeria Navy (NN) is seeking new ways of combating current and emerging threats in the maritime domain.

    Its quest, according to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, followed security challenges against the service’s operational doctrine.

    Ibas spoke at the second edition of the Naval Training Command’s  (NAVTRAC) seminar themed “Consolidating Professional Training in the NN.”

    The CNS, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, said there is a need for constant review of the Navy’s training policy and other doctrinal authorities, to balance the country’s security equation.

    He said: “The NN, like other navies of the world, relies on professional training for manpower development to accomplish assigned constitutional roles. Training a navy like ours is getting more complex and demanding.

    “This is because apart from requirements for a constant review of the schools’ curricula to allow for new acquisitions, it also needs to continue to address the traditional threats and those posed by non-state actors.

    “To this end, the operational doctrine of the NN has been challenged by some emerging threats in our maritime environment and the nation as a whole. This trend also underscores the need to review our training policy and other doctrinal authorities to balance the security equation of the country.

    “It is hoped that the outcome of the seminar will assist in shaping our training policy and doctrine towards combating current and emerging security challenges confronting the country.”

    Ibas, who lauded NAVTRAC for its successes, said a team from the International Hydrography Organisation (IHO) would be visiting Nigeria between March 18 and 23, to inspect the Nigerian Navy Hydrography School (NNHS), with a view to making it a regional centre for hydrographic studies.

  • Internal security: Navy trains personnel on smalls arms handling, firing

    Internal security: Navy trains personnel on smalls arms handling, firing

    To ensure proficiency in the handling of small arms during internal security operations, the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday took over 100 operatives through a refresher firing exercise.

    Organised by the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC)  at  Owode, Nigeria’s border community with Benin Republic, the Small Arms Firing Exercise (SAFEX) saw the personnel shooting weapons such as AK47, FN Riffle and Shooters and Gear (SnG) from 100 and 200 metres radius.

    According to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile, the training was necessary giving that naval operatives rarely handled light weapons.

    By nature of their constituonal roles, Ofodile said naval operatives were used to handling big weaponry, which are mounted on warships.

    Ofodile said the aim was to prepare a formidable military, proficient in weapon handling and marksmanship, especially in the light of internal security challenges.

    He said: “SAFEX is a part of NN schedule of events for 2018. Also, the Chief of  the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas has made it clear that all commands and units must be proficient in the firing of small arms.

    “It is assumed that at the point of entry in the navy, whether as an officer or the other ranks, we were taught to fire.

    “However, given our different deployments, we might not have been given the opportunity to continue to handle such weapons all the time.

    “So, this exercise would improve our proficiency in small weapons handling because by the nature of naval vessels, guns are mounted.

    “The navy basically has big guns onboard our warships like the 127MM and the 40MN that are onboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Aradu. But when it comes to internal insecurity, small arms are more useful and so, our men must be up to their game at all times.

    “This is because the navy is very much involved in confronting these security challenges and weapons used are such as the FN rifle, AK47 and the SNG.

    “For you to be proficient and skillful in handling such, the importance of SAFEX comes to bear. Some of us finished our targets within the allotted time. However, even if you are 100 per cent good, you still need to brush up your skills.”

    Senior officers who took part in the exercise included Commander, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Service Group, Air Commodore Mike Olatunji;  Commander NNS WEY, Commodore Patrick Yekwe andCommander Special Boat Services (SBS), Commodore Ibrahim Shettima.

     

     

     

  • Navy trains 41 special operatives

    Navy trains 41 special operatives

    The Special Boat Service (SBS) of the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday certified 41 officers and soldiers attached to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) fit for tougher, more dangerous operations.

    Their certification followed an 11-week intensive training on watermanship, air assault, counter terrorism, tactical combats, among others, at the SBS camp in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

    Congratulating the personnel for withstanding the rigours of the training, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile said he was confident they would succeed in whatever mission the DHQ assigned them to.

    Ofodile said: “These graduands have been equipped with the ability to infiltrate hostile terrain from sea and air whenever the need arise. They have acquired requisite skills to enhance their performance in different theatres of operations and I have no doubt they would deliver positively whenever duty calls.”

    “We do not know where they would be deployed to but we do know that the country is faced with many security challenges and so, the DHQ would deploy the personnel as deemed fit.

    “Ours was to train them because we have the expertise, which we have done. There is no doubt that they will perform and help in no small measure, in tackling security challenges including terrorism of all kinds.

  • Navy seeks funds to solve accommodation shortage

    Navy seeks funds to solve accommodation shortage

    The Nigerian Navy has called for improved budgetary allocation to enable it provide accommodation for its personnel in the barracks.

    The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) WEY, Commodore Patrick Yekwe, spoke yesterday while handing over 19 Lieutenant-Commanders’ quarters, built by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, at Navy Town, Ojo in Lagos.

    According to Yekwe, the CNS had ensured there was continuous barracks renovation, despite scarce resources.

    He said the old structures built in the 1980s for personnel, had become inhabitable and were being demolished in phases as new ones surfaced.

    Yekwe said Navy Town would require at least 100 transit lodgings for senior officers alone and many more permanent quarters to bridge housing deficit among naval personnel.

    He said: “The navy has accommodation challenge. Here in Navy Town, there are about 5,300 personnel. If you add their spouses and relatives, we have a total population of about 20,000.

    “We admit about 3,000 ratings yearly into the navy and they need where to stay. If you go to their quarters now, you will see that it is not habitable.

    “Then, remember that we still have officers and ratings staying outside the barrack because of accommodation challenges. So, we need many lodgings here to bridge the gap.

    “We need transit and permanent lodgings. There are personnel whose families are not stationed in Lagos. When they come here, they are put in transit accommodation.

    “The CNS has been making efforts to provide decent housing for officers and men of the navy. These two blocks of six flats (three-bedrooms) and the seven four-bedroom bungalows were recently built from scratch.

  • Navy arrests 22 vessels in onslaught on maritime criminals

    Navy arrests 22 vessels in onslaught on maritime criminals

    In keeping with its pledge to rid the nation’s maritime environment of pipeline vandals, illegal bunkerers and smugglers, the Nigerian Navy at the weekend said it arrested 22 vessels in seven months in Lagos area.

    The arrested  vessels are:  MT Wollorf, MT Vine, MT Glenstar, MT Sisi Comfort, MT DA Chris, MT Dove 1, Lurongyuanyu 215, Lurongyuanyu 216, Lurongyuanyu 217, Lurongyuanyu 218, MT Matrix 1, Hai Long, Marion, Arc Charley, MT Thyword, MT Queen of Peace, MT United Venture, MT United Trador and MV Miracle.

    Operatives of the Western Naval Command (WNC) at the weekend undertook a three-day sea exercise codenamed RIVER SWEEP III, which saw the dismantling of vandals’ hideouts and recovery of thousands of jerrycans at various creeks in Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States.

    The exercise saw the simultaneous deployment of four capital ships up to about 100 nautical miles of the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while patrol boats werw deployed in the creeks to smoke out pipeline vandals.

    Maritime patrol crafts and land assets were also deployed to block all exits, entrances that the criminals might use to escape.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) WNC, Rear Admiral Slyvanus Abbah, who led the operation, the vessels were arrested for various maritime offences between June 2017 and last Thursday.

    He said the exercise was launched to leverage the gains recorded during Exercises RIVER SWEEP I and II held at the Eastern and Central Naval Commands last year.

    Abbah acknowledged that a sustained presence of naval personnel at sea as well as the service’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) assets made it possible for the suspect vessels to be apprehended.

    Flagging-off the exercise, Abbah said: “Our maritime domain is beclouded with piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes. In Lagos area, we have maintained sanity for free flow of traffic in our waters and we have already registered some gains. Last year, some criminals invaded our Area of Responsibility (AOR) from the South to kidnap four Chinese men.

    “Our men in Igbokoda, Ondo State, swooped on them and five of them were arrested. Also, during the operation, their leader was shot dead. The suspects arrested have been handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS).

    “For now, Lagos waters are very calm as we have the Maritime Domain Awareness Centre that we use to monitor the sea and deploy men if need be to quell any situation.”

    On the platforms deployed for the exercise, he said Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA sailed in from Port Harcourt to join NNS UNITY,  NNS KARADUWA and NNS PROSPERITY  for the sea patrols, while several Inshore Patrol Crafts (IPCs) were deployed to the creeks.

    Commending the operatives at the end of the exercise, Abbah said those deployed to areas such as  Badagry, Epe, Atlas Cove, Ikorodu, Igbokoda, Kirikiri and Ibeju- lekki discovered large numbers of jerrycans starched by suspected vandals.