Tag: Navy

The Nigerian Navy has arrested six oil thieves and destroyed some illegal refineries in Bayelsa State.

The oil thieves were arrested during operations conducted by troops of Operation Delta Sanity from August 29 and September 2.

Navy’s spokesman, Commodore Aiwuyor Aliu-Adams, announced this in a statement on Wednesday, September 4.

He said the troops also recovered large quality of petroleum product during the operations.

Giving details of the operations that culminated in the troops’ successes, Commodore Aliu-Adams said on August 29, troops seized seven large Cotonou and two fibre boats operated by heavily armed oil thieves loading crude oil from an illegal loading point around the Botokiri axis of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

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He said: “On August 31, troops arrested six suspected crude oil thieves and seized 109 sacks of illegally refined petroleum products, four fibre boats, and two wooden boats, along Ogboinbiri-Kasama-Azama-Isoni of the state.

“On September 1, two wooden boats and 328 sacks of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized at Otuogori community river bank in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while on September 2, 35 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in a wooden boat were seized at Gbaraun area of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.”

The Navy’s spokesman said the successes of the operations were an indication of the “effectiveness of Operation DELTA SANITY, and the resolve of the Nigerian Navy to sustain current efforts to rid Nigeria’s maritime environment of the menace of crude oil theft and enhance crude oil production.”

The Nigerian Navy has buried the Base Operations Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Gideon Gwaza, 

who drowned in River State while rescuing 59 crew members of a distressed vessel, in Abuja.

Read Also: Navy destroys two million litres illegal refinery in Rivers

The late Gwaza was buried at the military cemetery Abuja, with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and some princip officers from Defence and services headquarters in attendance.

Lt.-commander died on July 30, during the operation at the Okpobo Field, near the Okpobo River.

Details later ….

Troops of Operation DELTA SANITY, a Nigerian Navy’s operation against oil thieves in the Niger Delta region, have destroyed an Illegal refinery with a two million litres daily capacity along Ogoloma/Bakana waterways in Rivers State.

The illegal refinery was destroyed on August 17, according to the Navy’s spokesperson Commodore Aiwuyor Aliu-Adams, in a statement on Friday, August 23.

Commodore Aliu-Adams said the Nigerian Navy has also made some significant successes against oil thieves within the month.

He said: “On 9 August 2024, the troops of Operation Delta Sanity destroyed one Illegal refinery site, five metal drums, and several pipes at Dumbe camp and Atuo general area of Bayelsa State.

Read Also: Navy receives nod to establish dockyard, base in Ogun

“On August 12, they destroyed one Illegal refinery site at Ataba Community, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers state. The troops also, on August 14 destroyed three Illegal refinery sites, five refining ovens, and three wooden boats and recovered large quantities of illegally refined automotive gas Oil in Brass, Bassambari, and Nembe axis of the Creeks in Bayelsa State.”

Other successes recorded within the month, according to Commodore Aliu-Adams, are the destruction of four wooden boats and a one-speed boat along Odioma/ Botokiri Creek, Bayelsa State, the destruction of one illegal refinery site, several storage tanks, and the seizure of large quantities of refined products along Ekwoke, Sobiekiri and Ataba area of Bonny channel, Rivers State, on August 17.

He said the troops, on August 19, destroyed one illegal refinery site with storage tanks, a pumping machine, and a wooden boat laden with stolen crude oil in Awoye Riverine community, Illaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.

On August 21, Commodore Aliu-Adams said troops destroyed one illegal refinery site, two wooden boats, five dug-out pits, and numerous drums containing stolen crude oil in Otumara Creek, Warri, Delta State.

He said the Nigerian Navy has deployed more troops, platforms, helicopters, and UAVs on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Armed Forces to ride the Niger Delta region of crude oil thieves and improve oil production.

Swift intervention by the Nigerian Navy (NN) last week saved 59 civilians from a drowning dredging vessel, MV AMBIKA 4, around the turbulent Okpobo River in Bonny, Rivers State.

The leader of the operation and Base Operations Officer (BOO) Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base BONNY, Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, however, paid the supreme price in the course of the operation that lasted 10 hours.

The Nation gathered that the dredging vessel which was contracted to Sterling Global Oil Limited at Okpobo field was at the risk of sinking near the river entrance when a distress call was made to the Nigerian Navy around midnight of July 29.

Given the dangerous nature of the river, especially during the rainy season, the base upon receipt of the distress call, deployed a rescue team comprising 10 armed personnel in two Interceptor Boats.

It was gathered that the rescued party could not approach the distressed boat due to the force of the water and requested another squadron of three boats for reinforcement.

To ensure quick evaluation of all the people onboard the vessel, the navy also deployed NNS GONGOLA while drones and helicopters including one from the Nigerian Air Force were utilized for search and rescue.

Read Also: Navy seizes 35 illegal oil vessels in seven months

While all 59 crew of the dredger were successfully rescued, the leader of the operation slipped and fell into the dangerous river.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Aiwiyor Adams-Aliu, on Friday, confirmed the incident.

He said: “Eventually, all 59 crew were rescued successfully but the Base Operations Officer. Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza paid the supreme price.

“He fell overboard accidentally during the rescue operation which lasted for about 10 hours from midnight of 29 July 2024 to 1000 hours on 30 July 2024.

“The Nigerian Navy deeply mourns the loss of Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, who bravely risked his life to save others.

“Lieutenant Commander Gwaza was a well-trained combat diver whose painful death reflects the risks and sacrifices of Nigerian Navy personnel towards the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain. His dedication and sacrifice will forever be remembered.”

The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to addressing the housing needs and other welfare packages for its personnel.

The Nigerian Navy gave the assurance during its Accounts and Budget Seminar for this year with the theme: Optimising NN Non-Public Fund Opportunities in a Dynamic Economic Environment: Personnel Welfare in Focus, held at the weekend in Lagos.

The Nation reports that the seminar brought together top hierarchy of the military’s accounts and budget department, their colleagues from other security and intelligence agencies as well as finance and economic experts.

Setting the tone for discussions at the seminar, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, urged the participants to come up with innovative funding strategies to deliver necessary welfare packages for the service.

The CNS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, noted that optimising non-public funds was crucial to improving the welfare of naval personnel to achieve operational efficiency.

Read Also: Navy warns against illegal use of service uniforms

“The welfare of our personnel is fundamental to our operational success. By leveraging non-public funds, we aim to improve living standards, retain skilled personnel, and ensure a resilient and capable naval force,” Ogalla said.

The CNS stressed the need for transparency and accountability in managing non-public funds.

 “We must ensure that these funds are managed effectively to meet the evolving needs of our personnel. Continuous evaluation and transparency are essential to this process,” he added.

“The Nigerian Navy will expand its welfare schemes, including the Navy insurance, car refurbishing loan, and welfare loan schemes managed by the Directorate of Non-Public Funds.

“We are committed to enhancing these initiatives to provide better support for our personnel and their families.

 “With shrinking government budgets, it is imperative that we look inward to develop alternative funding sources.

“This will enable us to better support our personnel and ensure operational effectiveness,” he said.

According to him, the Nigerian Navy has provided over 300 new housing units as well as various palliatives to naval personnel.

The Nigerian Navy has warned non-military personnel over the illegal and indiscriminate use of naval uniforms, accoutrements and insignia.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Aiwuyor Aliu-Adams, issued the warning in a statement on Friday, July 26.

He said it is an offence under the Nigerian constitution for non-military personnel to use military uniforms, insignia and accoutrements.

The statement reads: “It has come to the attention of the Nigerian Navy that some individuals, who are not personnel of the military especially the Nigerian Navy wear naval uniforms, use naval accoutrements and insignia indiscriminately.

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“It has become necessary to remind the general public that the unauthorised use of the Nigerian Navy uniform is an offence under Nigerian laws. Specifically, Chapter 12 section 110 (1) and (2) of the Criminal Code states that

“Any person who not being a person serving in any of the Armed Forces of Nigeria wears the uniform or any part of the uniform of such forces, or any dress having the appearance is guilty of an offence.

“Accordingly, the public is hereby warned to desist from wearing or appearing in Naval u

The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, has begun the retraining of its men in marksmanship and weapons handling to reduce collateral damage in their engagement with civil duties.

The exercise, which was held at Elele 5 Battalion Barracks of the Nigerian Army, focused on small arms firing and range classification.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samson Bura, who led officers and ratings to the training, said that continuous qualitative training of its manpower would effectively safeguard the country’s territory integrity and resources.

Bura, who was represented by the Fleet Commander, Headquarters Central Fleet, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ekwom, said the exercise was a testament to their commitment to excellence, precision, and the unwavering dedication of their personnel.

Bura said: “As we commence this important exercise, I emphasize the paramount importance of safety.

“The handling of firearms and live ammunition requires the utmost caution, discipline, and adherence to established protocols.

“It is imperative that every personnel present today maintain a vigilant focus on safety procedures, ensuring that we conduct this exercise without incident or injury.

“Remember, the success of this exercise depends not only on our skills and accuracy but also on our unwavering commitment to safety.

“Our goal today is to enhance our proficiency, readiness, and operational capability.”

Read Also: Navy extends Operation DeltaSanity by three months

The FOC said that the skills honed during the exercise are critical to their mission’s success and to the protection of the nation.

He urged them to approach the exercise with the seriousness and dedication it demands, knowing that their efforts contribute to the greater good.

He further said: “With these thoughts in mind, I am proud to declare the 2nd quarter CNC 2024 range classification and small arms firing exercise officially open.

“May this exercise be conducted safely and successfully, and may it serve as a testament to our collective professionalism and excellence.”