Three suspected oil thieves have been arrested by operatives of the Central Naval Command (CNC), of the Nigerian Navy, in Ekeremor Local Government, Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the suspects said to be operators of illegal refineries and two of their boats christened, “Emmanuel”, were rounded up on June 4.
The Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, said at the weekend that eight pumping machine allegedly used by the suspects to steal the product were seized by the naval operatives.
Ogoigbe, who handed the suspects over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution, said they were arrested along the creek of Bilabiri in the west senatorial district of the state.
He said the suspects were tricked into taking a naval patrol team to an illegal refinery camp in the deep mangrove.
He said their speedboat with the inscription, Emmanuel, gave them away as it was same with another previously recovered by the navy at the illegal refinery camp.
The FOC reinstated the determination of the command and other security agencies to intensify the ongoing war against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
He solicited the cooperation of the public in the war against economic sabotage.
The Okurike community and environs of Agwuagwune in Biase local government of Cross River State were excited to benefit from the free medical treatment organized by the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigeria Navy under its Medical Rhapsody package which is part of activities to mark the Navy’s 59th anniversary.
The free medical outreach featured free eye screening, free eyeglasses, malaria treatment, blood pressure check, de-worming among others.
• TheFOC, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola administering drugs
Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola said the gesture was in line with the Navy’s Corporate Social Responsibility and a deliberate effort to promote the Nigeria Navy as well as sell it to the communities.
He said, “This is our way of reaching out to communities in the hinter lands and we choose Okurike so as to reach the real people who need this treatment and at the same time introduce the Navy to as many young men and women in the area as well as spur them those who may like to join.
Babalola hoped that the exercise will be able to impact so many lives because there are a lot of people who need the free service we are rendering today we pray we get to them all.
Traditional ruler of Biase, HRM Onun (Apostle) Nicholas Odum described the Navy’s magnanimity as unprecedented and uncommon because they have not witnessed such in a long while.
According to the monarch, “We have had some organization in the past offer my people free healthcare services but not in this magnitude there is nothing more important than being healthy because health is greater than wealth.
“A lot of people here are just farmers and fishermen who live on meagre income from their produce. This gesture to the people in my domain by the Nigeria Navy has saved a lot of lives and money too. We as a people are indeed grateful that they choose Biase and especially Okurike. I am using this opportunity to call on other organization and well spirited Nigerians to emulate this display of empathy.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ukana Oqua said, “The last time I saw anything close to this was when the Presbyterian Church carried out a similar programme in 2012. Most of the people you see here find it difficult going to hospital not because they don’t want go for treatment when they are sick but they really don’t have the money”.
“Many will be saved because of this exercise. A lot have also died due to neglect of minor cases like malaria some have gone blind because they could not afford to get medical attention on time and for lack of funds too but with what the Navy has done I am sure a lot of lives will be impacted.”
Mrs. Florence Ajah, 75-year old, said she had been suffering from an eye problem for more than five years and has been contemplating her visit to the hospital because of the financial implication and proximity.
She said, “They treated and gave me free medicated glass and even asked me to come to Calabar whenever I can that they will still attend to me for free. It is amazing, I am so happy they remembered us today. If I went to the hospital I know I may not be able to afford it but I am really glad to came into our domain. I am going back to call two of my friends in their house who are also having issues with their eyes to come to the venue because its totally free.
“They brought it to my door steps. What more can I ask for? Moving from here to Calabar or anywhere else was a very difficult thing for me to do but the Navy have put a smile on my face.”
Councilor representing the ward, Mr Ukong Atu, who described Nigeria Navy’s magnanimity as one that touched impacted on many lives.
Atu said, “I am also very sure that the drugs and other materials they brought to administer on our people will be completely exhausted because there are so many people in my area who need minor medical attention but have not been able to access it because of finance and the distance too. We are glad they thought it wise to enter our place because the terrain is a bit difficult.”
As part of efforts to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s capability in ship building, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with a United Arab Emirates (UAE) based company, Prinvest for the upgrade of Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, disclosed this during the ceremonial sunset to mark the end of the 59th anniversary of the navy.
He said the decision was borne out of the desire to equip the navy for local building of ships, just as he noted that the firm which will be domiciled at the Naval Dockyard, will take on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s flagship, NNS ARADU, six strides boats, and build some interceptor boats, to ensure the emplacement of adequate security within the nation’s waters.
According to Jibrin, the nation’s dependency on sea resources makes the navy’s role paramount in achieving its national objective.
Highlighting his achievements as CNS, Jibrin said the navy under his watch has left no stone unturned in combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism, which are some of the most serious threats to the nation’s economic survival.
He also noted that professional and on-the-job training of personnel have been prioritized under his watch, adding that Naval personnel have been sent on foreign and local courses to equip them for the challenges of the 21st century.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin on Monday exonerated his personnel from the drastic fall in crude oil production, attributing it to the closure of main-folds by some International Oil Corporation (OIC).
Jibrin who was in Lagos to commission some projects of the Western Naval Command (WNC) as part of activities lined up for the navy’s 59th anniversary, denied the decline in crude oil production from about 2.4 million barrels per day to 400 was as a result of illegal bunkering and oil theft at sea.
He noted that as a result of pipe line vandalism, the OIC engaged in forced closure, thereby reducing the quantity drastically, scoring his men high in the fight against criminality at sea.
“As a result of pipe line vandalism, IOC decided to shut down some of their main-folds, hence, they cannot meet the quota allocated to Nigeria. In our resolve to address crude oil theft, we have arrested over 80 vessels including badges,” said Jibrin.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to empower the navy to prosecute sea criminals.
Dissatisfied with the judgment debts and garnishee orders against the navy as a result of failures of prosecuting agencies, Jibrin highlighted the implications of keeping impounded vessels for too long at the jetties.
Jibrin, who had earlier expressed displeasure on the huge judgment debts on the navy’s account, noted that if the force is allowed to prosecute its suspect, its legal department would ensure due diligence and speedy prosecution.
Although he acknowledged that there would be some constitutional amendments for prosecutorial powers to be vested on the navy, Jibrin however urged the National Assembly to give the force temporary approval to that effect.
According to the CNS, “When these criminals are arrested and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC); The Nigeria Police or the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), they are taken to court but we don’t get prompt judgement. “Sometimes these arrested ships create problem for us. For instance ,where we berth them will reduce the length of sea room for other ships to ply the waterways, especially within the channels. Our jetties are now being damaged by these ships.
“As if that is not enough, on each ship we deploy an officer and a minimum of four Ratings. On daily basis we pay to maintain them. This, I must tell you was never budgeted for.
“That is why as much as possible, we want quick dispensation of justice. We have written to seek permission from the Ministry of Justice but we have not gotten because I am told it would need constitutional amendment before that is given to us.
“The area we are dealing with now is how to push it forward to the National Assembly, so that they will look and see if there is still a
possibility. However, if that won’t be quick enough, we are appealing for a temporary approval
for us to take these criminals to court on our own.
“If the EFCC, Nigerian Police and the NSCDC have this capacity, we have lawyers also. The most astonishing part of the problem is when you have a ship with stolen products. Who then is wasting whose time in delivering judgement?”
Some of the projects commissioned included a digital access gate at NNS Beecroft, Apapa and others at the Navy town, Naval Air base Ojo, as well as the inspection of an ongoing construction of a 24 by two bedroom flats that would accommodate Ratings.
The Navy has handed over two suspected oil thieves it arrested recently to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Warri, Delta State, for prosecution.
The suspects were apprehended, following the Navy’s increased surveillance to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta creeks.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, under its new Commander, Commodore Aliyu Sule, arrested two suspected oil thieves – Braye Ogoba and Ikiere Benjamin – near Odimodi community, in the Forcados, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Central Naval Command of the Navy, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, broke the news at the parade of the suspects and their handover.
The Navy also handed over two Sao Tome and Principe nationals to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
They were said to have been stranded at the Agbami deep offshore oil field.
Rear Admiral Ogoigbe, who was accompanied by Commodore Sule, also said the authorities at the Warri Naval Base arrested a self-propelled barge, MV Chopin.
The FOC said the barge, believed to be laden with stolen crude oil, was seized near the Forcados River.
He said the two suspects, who he said were originally arrested by a community’s vigilance group with the aid of the navy, had given useful information on their activities.
According to him, the highly specialised tools found on the suspects showed their plots.
Rear Admiral Ogoigbe said: “We have been patrolling the waterways and our efforts yielded fruits when two suspected oil thieves were arrested before they could carry out their plan. They were arrested by vigilantes and handed over to us. They were going to open up an oil well in the Forcados.”
On the rescue of the two Sao Tome and Principe nationals, he said: “They were rescued recently during our patrol of the waters. The two rescued black expatriates can only speak Portuguese. One of their boats was terribly damaged.”
As part of its continued efforts to combat the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta swamps, the Nigerian Navy has handed two suspected oil thieves recently arrested over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Warri for prosecution.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, under the watch of its new Commander, Commodore Aliyu Sule, had recently arrested two suspected oil thieves, namely Braye Ogoba and Ikiere Benjamin, around Odimodi community, in the Forcados area, Burutu council area of Delta state.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, who spoke during the parade of the suspects and their handing over also handed two foreigners of Sao Tome and Principe nationality, who were rescued while adrift and stranded in the Agbami deep offshore oil field area, over to officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the naval chief, who had the Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Sule with him also disclosed that the authorities at the Warri naval base had arrested a self-propelled barge; MV Chopin, believed to the loaded with stolen crude oil, around the Forcados River.
He said the two suspected oil thieves, whom were originally arrested by a community vigilante group, with the aid of the Navy, had given useful information regarding their suspected activities, adding that the highly specialized tools found on them at the time of their arrest further revealed their plots.
“We have been patrolling the waterways and our efforts yielded fruits when two suspected oil thieves were arrested before they could carry out their plan. They were arrested by vigilante and handed over to us. They were going to open up an oil well in the Forcados area.”
On the rescue of the two Sao Tome and Principe nationals who were found lost at sea, he said “they were rescued recently during our patrol of the waters. The two rescued expatriates, blacks, can only speak Portuguese and one of their boats was terribly damaged.”
“From our investigation, we believe they were lost and stranded, but we are handing them over to the Immigrations who have the authority to deal with movement of expatriates for further investigation and action in line with the law,” he said.
As part of activities lined up to mark its 59th anniversary, the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday disclosed that it will give the general public access to its platforms.
A statement issued by the information officer, Western Naval Command (WNC), Lieutenant Commander Abdusalam Sani indicated that the public will be treated to a trip to the high sea on Thursday for a better understanding and appreciation of the workings of the force.
He called on interested persons to be at either the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT Naval Base Apapa or Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Jetties by 8:30am on Thursday.
Sani said for those who may not want to go to sea, NN ships will be opened for visit between 8:30am and 6pm same day, appealing to Nigerians to see the gesture as a good opportunity to be closer to their navy.
Health is wealth”. The Central Naval Command (CNC) was on point in choosing the globally accepted maxim as the theme of its recently concluded medical rhapsody in Bayelsa State.
The command, whose Areas of Responsibility (AoR) apart from Bayelsa comprises Delta, Kogi and Anambra, took its medical mission to Ogboloma community in Yenagoa Local Government Area where its headquarters is located.
•One of the oldest community members receiving medical attention from the navy
Ogboloma, the benefitting community, was very receptive. They were happy that free medical help came their way. Little wonder everybody came out to be part of the naval magnanimity. Children, youths, the aged and community leaders were not left out. Some clutched their ill ones to the chosen centre while others used motorcycles and other means of transportation to convey the sick to the area.
At the last count, over 3000 persons turned up for the medical mission. The naval medical crew emptied their drugs. In fact, they were inundated with many health complaints. They carried out eye examination on persons with optical problems; conducted dental checks, laboratory investigations and health talks.
The Acting Commander, Warri, Captain C.A Opara, who was the special guest and leader of the Naval medical team, said the mission is part of the naval community outreach programmes.
“The Medical Rhapsody in the Navy started about 2006 when the Navy decided that apart from being seen as one of the arms of the armed forces, that is the Army and the Airforce, there is the need to also reach out to the civilians, to provide a cordial civil-military relationship,” she said.
Realising the importance of friendly civil-military relationship, she said that the navy decided that its medical department should have a Medical Rhapsody. She described the rhapsody as a kind of medical outreach designed for host communities and environs.
Before commencing any medical mission, she said the medical team prepares itself to handle any health problems.
She said: “In this instance, what we do is to give them health talks and medical checks. We find out that when this is done, often times we get to discover illnesses that even the individuals within the community are not aware of and we tend to start early treatment.
“We are aiming at making sure we reduce the mortality rate of individuals within the society and if there are instances of ailments or illnesses that can be spread communally, you teach them so that they can be aware of it.
“So preventive measures are therefore made. At the end of the day everyone of us come from a community and you will go back to that community on retirement.”
On the response of people to the gesture, she said: “It’s been wonderful. When I was in Calabar, we had it in three ocassions. We visited different places and we found out that people are positive about it. We get to see a large number of people and we have to control the crowd.
“Come May/June,we are going to have the Navy week. The Navy as a whole will have different Medical Rhapsody in each command in different hospitals.Since we are still within the community, they come to our hospital for more medical information.”
The captain encouraged the people to go for regular medical examinations. She said the medical education offered by the navy would help the people to identify and deal with health problems.
Addressing the people, she said: “We are here to educate you and this education will help the community to be aware of health problems .What we are going to do is to have different medical checks for the eyes, blood and we shall take the complaints of everybody here present.
“At the end of the day, there are sicknesses you have that you don’t know, it is only through this test that you will discover it and treatment starts immediately. Let’s not forget that prevention is better than cure”.
Indeed, the Paramount Ruler of the community, His Highness, Chief F.K Tebepena, was excited. He appreciated the effort of the Nigerian Navy in his community and Nigeria as a whole.
“What I am seeing here today is just like a dream,which is not. It is real. I welcome the Nigerian Navy to my town. Thank you for coming to our community to help us with this medical assignment. This is a welcome development and a very unique opportunity. We are thankful to God for this”, he said.
Shortly after the monarch’s speech, the health talks started. The first health talk was on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. A guest speaker identified simply as Mr. James, enlightened the people on transmission and prevention of HIV.
He emphasized that it could be transmitted through unprotected sex and the use of sharp objects. He pleaded with the participants to make themselves available for free HIV tests conducted by the medical team.
The second health talk on hypertension was anchored by the Principal Medical Officer of the Nigerian Naval Hospital, Warri, Dr. E. Ikwuagwu. He described hypertension as a silent killer and advised people He advised people who were above 40 years to always go for regular medical checks. He also advised that persons diagnosed of High Blood Pressure (HBP) should always take their drugs.
“Don’t be too busy for your health. Check your blood pressure at least once a month and take your medicine. No amount of money you pursue is equivalent to your health”, he appealed.
• A child receiving an injection
Children were not left out in the health talks. A Navy Warrant Officer identified as Akpan spoke on how child mortality could be prevented and the various types of vaccination given to children at different stages.
“Vaccinations are given to prevent various diseases. Mothers should help their children to live a healthy lifestyle. When your children are healthy, you save a lot of money and you are happy as a mother”, he said.
Based on the spirits of the talk, the medical team isolated children above two years and gave them vaccines.
One of the beneficiaries and mother of two who identified herself as Mrs. Clement, poured encomiums on the navy.
She said: “I am happy about what the Navy is doing. I came with my son and daughter for free medical treatments and I also complained to the doctor concerning a pain on my left leg and I was given some drugs. May God bless them.
Also, a woman in her 60s who preferred to be called Mama Grace, spoke of her experience in pidgin. She said: “I come tell the doctors say my waist and legs dey pain me. Dem do test for me come give me drugs wey I go dey use and all na free. Dem try for us o.”
Workers of Fidelity Bank Plc acting under the auspices of Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), a special vehicle for the lender’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), has constructed water treatment plant and donated computers and other office equipment to the Nigerian Naval Medical Centre, Naval Dockyard, Lagos.
Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo said the bank, as a socially responsible institution, takes pride in its humble accomplishment in entrenching the culture of true and responsible citizenship among workers members through regular trainings and integration exercises. “It is this passion for our country and our people that has motivated the staff driven initiative which we fondly call the FHHP,” he said.
Okonkwo said the lender is the only bank in the country where workers contribute their salaries to embark on projects that impact on the lives of their host communities.
“Fidelity Bank strives to reinforce strong, healthy community relations by identifying with communities in activities that are most relevant to them. We play a leading role in identifying with and seeking solutions to the problems of our host communities,” he said.
He said although the CSR philosophy rests on a tripod – the environment, education and health/social welfare, the bank, through the all-inclusive bottom-top CSR approach, has impacted positively on the lives of its host communities across the country.
Attempts by 10 suspected pirates to hijack a foreign vessel, MT IMAS was at the weekend foiled by the Nigerian Navy (NN) on the Lagos waterways.
The operation, which was carried out by personnel of the Western Naval Command (WNC) who were on pre-election patrol, led to the arrest of one of the suspects identified as Shola Sama.
It was learnt that the other nine who had successfully boarded the distressed vessel opened fire upon sighting the NN but later bowed to the superior force of Naval personnel.
Sama, 31 and father of three, however denied being a pirate, claiming he was a businessman going about his lawful duty, adding that he was nabbed while trying to rescue his younger brother who fell into the water after his boat capsided.
He claimed that he sells food and other things such as recharge cards to ships with his passenger ship, in exchange of petrol.
He said that he usually bought the items for about N2000 and would sell for as much as N4500 and went as much as thrice a day.
He said: “I went to sea to collect my product with a 50kg jerrican. I was with my younger brother, Gbenga and I had N400 thousand with me. That is how we usually drive around and I am not the only one in the business.
“After filling the keg, the wave came and there was a vessel that was pumping sand when it passed, the wave hit my boat and it capsided with my younger brother so I was trying to rescue him, it pushed me away .
“I was swimming and shouting to ship that was coming. A man said they should throw rope for me. They threw rope and I was begging them to allow me come into their ship that I used to buy market from them.
“He said they were coming. They called a white man and they said I should wait. The next minute, they brought a lifebouy and I went to the boat. They asked what I was doing I explained. The next place I found myself was Navy base.”
But explaining how the suspect was caught, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango said the distressed vessel radioed the NN that she was under attack by pirates.
He explained that NN boat was deployed and after exchange of gun fire with the pirates who had two boats, some of them sustained injuries and were dislodged, while Sama was nabbed.
Ango said: “As part of our preparations and actions for the just conducted election, we deployed our ships to cover the inland waterways and also to protect the ships and patrol the territorial water.
Fortunately for us, one of the ships, MT IMAS, raised the alarm around 01:20 that she was under attack by pirates and one of our patrol boats that was close by went immediately to her rescue and in the process, saw two boats loaded with pirates and there was an exchange of fire.
“We managed to dislodge the pirates from the attack. We injured a few of them and we also captured one of them whom we brought here for proper investigation .
“Their intention was to board the vessel and either kidnap the foreigners on board or steal the product. Or take the ship as ransom and go and sell the product somewhere. But the alarm raised through the distress channel which we all have, foiled their attempt.
“This is part of the measures we are taking to assure Lagosians especially and Nigerians in general that the NN is very much ready for the security of the water ways
“And if there are miscreants or hoodlums who think they can use the waterways to cause any harm or damage, we want to let them know the NN is very much ready and up to the task to prevent them from doing that.”
