The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Navy

  • Navy intercepts ship with 41 illegal migrants in Calabar

    Navy intercepts ship with 41 illegal migrants in Calabar

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar Thursday intercepted ship AV Agamba 41 illegal migrants who had come in from Gabon at the Shoreline jetty in the Cross River State capital.

    Also on board the ship were 183 Nigerians.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir, said that the ship was intercepted by men of the Navy on routine patrol.

    Abdulkadir, who pointed out that the ship was only allowed to berth at the jetty because a majority of the passengers were Nigerians, said that the Federal Government has placed a ban restricting dumping of illegal immigrants in Nigeria ports.

    He said that out of the 183 Nigerians, about 93 of them were children, saying that 83 of the children and a majority of the adults had no travelling passport, but rather, came in with `emergency travelling certificates’.

    According to him, the Navy was out to confirm whether the children were taken illegally into Nigerian or not.

    He said there was a need to profile them and trace their origin.

    “We also have 41 foreigners on board this ship. Out of this number, four of them are from Central African Region while others are from the West African region.

    “Over 35 of them again are with emergency travelling certificate and no passport. We are trying to work with the Nigeria Immigration to re-assure ourselves that there are not of any dangerous character.

    “It is a big concern for us that people are coming into this country without proper travelling documents.

    “Now that there is Lassa fever and other health challenges, we also want to ensure that those that are here are of no health threat to the people around,’’ he said.

    The FOC said that the police and the Department of State Security, who were also on ground at the jetty, would check the Nigerians to ensure that they are of no security threat to the society.

    “We will hand the foreigners over to the Immigration Service for proper check. Anyone found with illegal travelling document would be sent back to Gabon.

    “We are concerned about security. We want to ensure that the proper thing is done and we cannot afford to allow illegal immigrants into this country anyhow.

    “I am happy that the relevant security agencies are all here. Anyone one of them found with illegal document will be repatriated back to Gabon with this same ship,’’ the FOC said.

  • Ex-Naval officer bags four year jail term for aiding smuggling

    Ex-Naval officer bags four year jail term for aiding smuggling

    A dismissed Naval officer was on Thursday sentenced to four years imprison after pleading guilty to illegally escorting contraband from Seme Border to Lagos to evade customs duty.

    Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Oluwadamilola Olanipenikun of the Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ court found Amadu Usman guilty of impersonation, unlawful possession of Navy uniforms and using same to cheat for personal gains.

    “Based on your confessional statement and facts presented before the court, it has been proven that you deliberately and unlawfully kept the property of the Nigerian Navy for personal gains.

    “The law stipulates that even as a serving officer of the law, you must not use your position or uniform to cheat for personal gains.

    “The sentence is a total of four years imprisonment, that will be served consecutively, starting from today,” said Olanipekun.

    The prosecutor, Inspector William Ologun, had earlier told the court that Usman committed the offence on Oct 10, 2015.

    According to the prosecutor, Usman wore the complete uniform of an officer of the Nigerian Navy and deceitfully escorted vehicle carrying contraband goods from Seme to Lagos, to evade customs duties.

    “Usman was arrested at Costain area in Surulere, Lagos by members of the Police Anti-Extortion Patrol Unit on duty in the area, wearing complete uniform of the Nigerian Navy.

    “He confessed to have been dismissed from service in 2009, but had kept the uniform to make ends meet,” Ologun said.

    In his plea for mercy, Usman asked the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that he had learned his lessons, having been in prison custody for the last three months.

  • Photo: Navy intercepts oil theft

    Photo: Navy intercepts oil theft

  • Navy hands over suspected oil thieves to IG

    The Navy has handed over 11 suspects arrested on a vessel apparently used to steal crude to the inspector general of Police (IGP).

    The NNS Delta, on November 14, last year, arrested MT Camille, carrying about 4,000 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude, on the Forcados waters.

    The Commander of NNS Delta in Warri, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, while handing over the suspects to representatives of the IGP, said the Navy would not relent in the battle against oil theft.

    Commodore Mohammed, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Commander Shehu Tasiu, urged the police to prosecute oil thieves.

    “I am directed to hand over 11 crew members of the vessel to the inspector general of Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “The Navy request that the suspects be properly profiled for future reference and that you furnish the Naval Headquarters with the outcome of your investigation. I wish to restate the Navy’s commitment to assisting the Police in curbing crime”, he said.

    Receiving the suspects, the leader of a Special Investigation Panel (SIP), Assistant Commissioner of Police Shawulu E. Dan-Mamman, said the police would ensure that a thorough investigation was carried out and those found wanting would face the law.

    Dan-Mamman said the Police would  partner other security agencies  to eradicate crime and criminality in the country.

    “As you are aware, I want to assure you that the police will partner other security agencies in the war againt oil theft. We shall get to the root of this matter and appropriate  action taken against the suspects.”

  • Navy intercepts refined products concealed in polythene bags

    Navy intercepts refined products concealed in polythene bags

    The Nigerian Navy Ship(NNS) Jubilee, with operational base at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State has intercepted diesel worth over N4.2 million in parts of the Niger Delta area. The illegally refined products were loaded in a total of 143 drums and 725 polythene bags. The interceptions and arrest of culprits were done in the last quarter of last year.

    Briefing newsmen over the weekend at the operational base of NNS Jubilee Ikot Abasi, the Commander, Commodore David A. Adeniran said the Navy in the last four months curbed the criminality that had affected the maritime activities within Akwa Ibom and parts of Rivers State.

    Giving accounts of his activities particularly between August 31 and December, Commodore Adeniran disclosed that the Navy stopped the illegal activities on the sea and assisted to a great extent on land.

    He said the criminal activities of illegal crude oil refining and transportation took a new dimension as the criminals now package illegally refined diesel (AGO) in strong polythene bags to conceal the real content and transport the bags in cars and trucks.

    While giving a breakdown of the interception within the period under review, the Navy boss said: “The criminal means of concealing the illegally refined petroleum products assumed a different dimension. They now conceal AGO in strong polythene bags with sizes ranging between 10 to 50 kg. They also use drums with capacity ranging between 200 and 300 litres.”

    Expatiating, he said: “On September 1, we seized 75 drums of illegally refined AGO at Opobo waterside in Rivers State while on September 10, 80 polythene bags of AGO transported in a Nissan vehicle were seized and handed over to NSCDC.

    “On September 15, 600 bags of illegally refined AGO transported in a truck was arrested. The products were packed like bags of rice. Looking at the products, you may think they were bags of rice but a close examination of the content and the smell, gave the criminals away. On September 25 at Okopedi Fishing town, we seized another 45 bags and 68 drums of AGO and two boats,” Commodore David stated.

    The Navy boss said his team also demobilised and destroyed an escape vehicle used by criminals who had gone to rob a branch of the First Bank in Ikot Abasi on October 10.

    Commodore Adeniran also warned those who are using the Military stickers and uniforms illegally to desist forthwith.

    He said any unauthorised person caught will face the full weight of the law. “The use of military stickers and uniforms by unauthorised person is unacceptable,” he warned.

    He advised Akwa Ibom people not to fall prey to criminal elements who are out to deceive that they can help them secure recruitment into the Nigerian Navy through some phony Facebook accounts. He said the procedure to join the Service is very clear.

    He said the NNS Jubilee within the period under review, had put together a standard operational base with modern gadgets that helps them carry out their duties professionally and assured the states within the operational area of NNS Jubilee of their determination to rid the region of all criminal activities that have negative impact on the maritime activities of the people in line with the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff.

    Meanwhile, the people of Ibeno and other coastal communities in Akwa Ibom State have appreciated the Navy for solving a five year piracy problems for the fishing communities.

    The Traditional Ruler and Council of Chiefs of Ibeno, Upenikang and other adjoining coastal communities in Ibeno and Ikot Abasi local government areas thanked the Navy for delivering them from the evil activities of sea pirates and other criminals.

    The domain under the leadership of His Royal Majesty Owong (Dr.) Effiong B. Archtanga (JP), the Udammung 1 of Ibeno who also doubles as the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs expressed his appreciation and that of the people to the Nigerian Navy last week when the Officers and men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State and the Media went on a fact finding tour of parts of the area under their Command.

  • Ibeno hails Navy

    The Navy has been praised by the people and Traditional Ruler and Council  of Chiefs of Ibeno, Upenikang and other adjoining coastal communities in Ibeno and Ikot Abasi local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, for delivering them from the evil activities of sea pirates and other criminals.

    His Royal Majesty Owong, Effiong B. Archtanga (JP), the Udammung 1 of Ibeno, who also doubles as the Chairman Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, expressed his appreciation and that of the people to the Navy last week when the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, went on a fact-finding tour of parts of the area under their command.

    The monarch, who spoke through one of his Council members, Obong Ita Ndem, Village Head, Esuk Ekim Ekeme, Ntaikang, Ibeno, said the people of Ibeno especially thousands who live along the coast were in the last five years living in fear, terrorised by sea pirates who also stole from them and kidnapped people at will for ransom.

    He said in the last five years, his people, who are predominantly fishermen, could not go to the sea for fear of the pirates and other criminals who had taken over the creeks until a few months ago when NNS Jubilee came to their rescue by deploying sophisticated equipment to tackle and dislodge the criminals.

    “We are very grateful to the Federal Government, since the Navy started patrolling our waterways a few months ago,  the evil activities of these criminals have been reduced”.

    The monarch appealed for the patrol to be continuous and to be extended to the creeks.

    The Chairman, Ibeno Fishermen Association, Mr Uquekpo Job, recounted the ordeal of the members of his association in the last five years. He expressed their happiness over the relief guaranteed by the Navy. He said relief has now come their way as they can now go to sea for fishing which is their main means of earning a living.

    At Ukpenikang beach market, hundreds of fish buyers who came from the mainland parts of the state were busy struggling to buy fish packed in bags from fishing trawlers. The price per bag ranges between N2,000 to N10,000 depending on the size of the fishes in the bags, a fisherman, Mr Samson Ekeme said.

    The Commanding Officer NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Commodore David A. Adeniran, assured the coastal communities, the State and other areas under the operational command of NNS Jubilee of the commitment of  the Navy to rid the territorial waters of all piracy related and other criminal activities in line with the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff.

    He said there was a cordial working relationship between the Navy and the host communities and that the patrol of the areas under his command would remain a continuous exercise.

     

  • Navy expresses readiness to check illegal oil bunkering

    Navy expresses readiness to check illegal oil bunkering

    The Nigerian Navy has expressed its readiness to tackle the challenges of insecurity and illegal oil bunkering on the coastlines through community collaboration.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas, gave the assurance during the inauguration of a Navy residential quarters in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers, on Friday.

    QqThe quarters, consisting of four blocks of flats, were donated to the Navy by Green Energy International Ltd and Lekoil Consortium, which are oil exploration companies operating in Ikuru Town.

    Ibas was represented by Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik, the Chief Logistics, Naval Headquarters.

    He said the companies made the donation to provide prominence and permanent presence for the Navy in the volatile Eastern waterways of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states.

    Ibas said the presence of the Navy would further strengthen effective coastal policing and check illegal oil bunkering.

    “The Nigerian Navy appreciates this worthy donation as it came at such a time when the Navy is exploring necessary measures to secure our waterways and end the activities of oil vandals.

    “I charge the oil companies and the host community to maintain this developmental process as the Navy is poised to ensuring effective use of the facility,” he said.

    Mrs Ibioku Amachree, the Administrative Manager, Green Energy International Ltd, said the donation was part of the company’s promise to support community development in the area.

    “In our Memorandum of Understanding with our host community we promised to set up a community development trust fund.

    “The sum of N90 million would be remitted annually by our joint venture (Green Oil Energy/Lekoil) into the community development trust fund.

    “The trust fund would be managed by designated signatories from the host communities,” she said.

    Mr Adeleke Adedipe, Chief Operating Officer of Lekoil Company, also assured the community of a safe environment and promised that the company would abide by the country’s environmental laws.

    Adedipe said the company would not flare gas in its operations.

    He also promised to ensure that the gas generated in the process of oil exploration would be converted to electricity for the community, which presently was not connected to the national grid.

    In his speech, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, on behalf the community, thanked the Nigerian Navy and Ofik, an indigene of the community.

    He urged the youth in the community to emulate the admiral who had made both the community and the nation proud in his career.

    Ofik was later honoured with the highest Chieftaincy title of Oje isi akon I of Ikuru Town, which means ”The First War Lord of Ikuru Town’’.

    He thanked the community for the honour done him and promised to help ensure security of lives and properties of the people.

    He urged the youth to shun vices and focus on attracting development to the area.

  • Navy arrests vessel with 400-tanker load of stolen crude in Warri

    In what it described as one of its biggest breaks in its fight against oil theft, the Nigerian Navy has arrested a motor transport vessel (MTV) laden with about 4,000 metric tons of substances suspected to be stolen crude oil.

    While parading the massive marine vehicle, measuring about 105.6 metres in length, and the eleven crew members yesterday in Warri, the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman and the Command of the NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, said the Navy will not stop in its campaign against maritime crimes until the criminals are all routed.

    Addressing journalists aboard the arrested vessel, named MT Camille, Rear Admiral Suleiman expressed  concern over the quantity of Nigeria’s crude already siphoned by the vessel, putting the estimation at about 400 trailer tanker loads of crude.

    The officers of the Nigerian Navy, who took turns to speak, said the Central Naval Command of the Navy, through its outpost in Warri, had already commenced its preliminary Investigations into the matter, assuring that it would get to the root of the crime.

    The officers also added that the Navy would not stop at the arrest of the vessel and the crew, but would work to uncover the godfathers behind the MT Camille case and ensure they are exposed.

    “In line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff that all choke points, entering into the sea must be manned and that all seaways must be regularly patrolled, in order to curb the activities of illegal businesses and crude oil theft, the headquarters, Central Naval Command assembled all assets to achieve the zero to crude oil theft.

    “It was during a patrol by a ship from the Central Naval Command that MT Camille was intercepted and arrested around Forcados waters. As at the time of arrest, this vessel, measuring about 106 meters long, was laden with 4000 metric tons of products suspected to be stolen crude.

    “Accordingly, signals have been sent to the naval headquarters for directives, preliminary Investigations are on. NNPC, DPR and Shell, which has the loading terminal at Forcados Terminal, have also been intimated of this development.

    “Eleven crew members, including their captain, were arrested and they are all in our custody for the preliminary Investigation before the final directive will come from the headquarters on what to do with the vessel and the crew. The crew members are all Nigerians.

    “We are still interrogating them and there are some things we might not be able to disclose to you now. Definitely, like I told you the last time, that the Navy is not just after vessels and the foot soldiers, all efforts are on to get those behind this.

    “From some of the statements from the crew, we discovered that this vessel has been in our waters for at least three times. Even those some of the crew members, especially the captain, is coming for the first time. Meaning that this vessel has been stealing Nigeria’s crude, and this arrest has finally put an end to the activities of this vessel and those behind it,” the naval chief said.

    However, responding to questions by newsmen on their role in the activities of the vessel, the arrested crew members from MT Camille claimed the vessel was hijacked by an armed group of four, who they said held them hostage and led them to where the crude was siphoned.

    “We left from Ghana and we were going to Cameroun. We didn’t have bunker and food and the vessel was leaking very seriously. So, our boss told us to go towards Forcados, where we would meet someone who would give us food and bunker. It was around where we were supposed to meet the person that those people took over the vessel and said they needed to use it at night. We had to wait till about 8:00pm when we went to where they got the crude,” the suspects claimed.

  • Navy arrests 1,500 ‘illegal’ vessels

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Navy in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, yesterday said it arrested 1,500 ships, fishing trawlers and boats allegedly operating illegally on its maritime area from January till date.

    The command’s Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir, spoke at the opening of a three-day sea drill, tagged: Operation Mamaki.

    The operation included gun exercise, communication pattern, interrogation of vessels and helicopter operation.

    Abdulkadir said the arrests were made at Naval bases in Ikot-Abasi, Oron, Ibaka, Bonny, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

    The FOC said the “illegal” ships, fishing trawlers and boats were arrested by Naval operatives for failing to present valid maritime papers while others were held for alleged oil theft.

    Abdulkadir said: “In specific terms, since this year, we have arrested and destroyed in the creeks and outside over 1,500 illegal boats and ships conducting illegal activities in term of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

    “We have handed over a couple of them to the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). In a short while, I can assure you that you will see a number of them being prosecuted.

    “The Nigerian Navy would continue to maintain its presence at sea to ensure that crude oil theft and other illegal maritime activities are brought to an end.

    “Six navy ships and helicopter participated in this exercise and during our patrol we interrogated over 50 ships on the high sea.

    “We searched them thoroughly and found out that were operating legally.”

    The FOC noted that the operation was meant to strengthen Naval personnel, reduce illegal oil bunkering and protect the nation’s mineral and natural resources.

    He added: “We are on the high seas regularly. We try to patrol our area of operation to ensure that no illegal activities are carried out on our waterways.

    “Crude oil theft on the sea is drastically reducing. We will continue to police our maritime domain in order to keep it safe for legal maritime operators.

    The operation was conducted within the Eastern Naval Command maritime area – from Calabar and Bonny fairway – up to the Brass terminal.”

     

  • Navy adopts new anti-oil theft, piracy training code

    Navy adopts new anti-oil theft, piracy training code

    The Nigerian Navy on Thursday said it had adopted a new training regime that would improve troop’s proficiency in internal security operations in the country.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Adeniyi Osinowo, disclosed this while on two-day familiarization tour of navy training schools in Onne, Rivers.

    He said that adoption of a new code of conduct in its training programs was borne out of the navy`s commitment to drastically reduce oil theft and sea piracy in the nation’s maritime environment.

    “Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas, has come up with detailed strategic direction for the Nigerian Navy to improve its internal security operations.

    “Presently, NAVTRAC is reviewing all our training curricula in all our professional schools to ensure highly motivated and proficient workforce to meet both current and anticipated security threats.

    “We have also developed a new code of conduct in training of our troops to produce personnel that would be highly disciplined while providing unflinching service to the nation,” he said.

    Osinowo said the new code had provided trainees with requisite skills, and had addressed their conduct and reaction when deployed for illegal bunkering operations.

    According to him, the new training regime also presents a platform for troops to relate cordially with civilians.

    “This training program will make our troops more proficient and efficient in the discharge of their duties at both operational and tactical levels,” he assured.

    Osinowo said that the navy was currently improving its training facilities nationwide to enable it to effectively safeguard the nation’s territorial waters.

    He visited the Nigerian Navy College and the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, both at Onne.