Tag: Navy

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS SOROH) on Wednesday, July 10, distributed educational materials to students of Government Modern Secondary School in Toru-Ebeni Community, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

The Commander, NNS SOROH, Commodore Nanmar Lakan led some officers and ratings of the command to present the items to the students.

Lakan, represented by Capt. Mohammed Kolo, Executive Officer/Deputy Commander NNS SOROH, addressing newsmen, said that the educational outreach was to encourage the children to be of good behaviour.

”It is also to encourage them to study hard and eschew all forms of criminalities capable of jeopardising their future,” he said.

He added that the day marked a special occasion not only to celebrate education but also to underscore the importance of nurturing young minds and empowering future leaders.

According to him, education is not just about classrooms and textbooks; it is about fostering curiosity, igniting passion, and opening doors of opportunities.

Lakan stated: “As we are all aware, education is the cornerstone of progress and development in any society. It empowers individuals and transforms communities.

“It opens doors of opportunities that would have otherwise remained closed. By investing in education, we invest in the future of our nation.

“So, the Nigerian Navy and indeed the NNS SOROH, recognise the pivotal role that education plays in national security and sustainable development.

“Through initiatives like today’s education rhapsody, we aim to enhance educational outcomes, promote academic excellence, and cultivate a culture of learning that transcends borders.

“Through our non-kinetic line of operations and civil-military relations, the NN and indeed NNS SOROH have come here today with a mission to enrich your learning environment and support your educational journey.”

He further stated: “Today, we will also share with our students, insights into a career that is close to our hearts, the Armed forces of Nigeria and in particular the Nigerian Navy.

“We will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Navy in safeguarding our waters, protecting our shores, and contributing to national security.

“More importantly, we will explore how each of you, as young Nigerians, can contribute to our nation’s prosperity and well-being.

Read Also: Navy destroys 10 illegal refinery sites, speedboat in Bayelsa

“So, let us seize this opportunity to learn, to grow, and to inspire one another. Let us embrace the gift of education and let it be a beacon of hope and progress in our lives.”

Responding, Mrs Toun-Aregha Oriepekumo, Principal of the school, commended the Nigerian Navy for the laudable gesture and urged other organisations to emulate them.

According to her, the Nigerian Navy has given a glorious future in the life of the children. 

“This gesture will be in their minds for a very long time and it will motivate them to learn and study very hard,” Oriepekumo stated.

The Nigerian Navy through its Forward Operating Base in Brass, Bayelsa state, has destroyed 10 illegal refinery sites, a speedboat, and a total of 100,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in the Nembe local government area of Bayelsa state.

The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FORMOSO), Capt. Ifeanyichukwu Mabeokwu, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Thursday, June 27, during the destruction.

Mabeokwu said that on the aspiration of the Nigerian Navy in decimating illegal refining sites and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, “My team and I are here to carry out deactivation operation in these illegal refining sites.

“As you can see, there is a large one with over 10 refining units, it has cumulatively about 800,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 100,000 of stolen crude oil respectively.

“Essentially the illegal refining site is hidden away at the core of the Nembe Creek and it took us the deployment of high resolution of drones to discover this site.

“Now it has been discovered, we are going to do everything possible to see that this does not exist and will cease from this moment.

“The discovery was made the early part of this morning at about 0630-700 hours.”

The Commanding Officer said that on arrival they met all the ovens still active, that is to say they operated in the morning before they left.

“I believe they heard the sound of our gunboats and they abandoned the site as we arrived here nobody was seeing.”

Read Also: Navy takes outreach to Iru community

According to him, the Nigeran Navy, under the leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), is committed to maintaining the security and safety of the Nigerian maritime domain.

Mabeokwu said that the Navy would continue to facilitate a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to flourish and contribute to the nation’s economic progress.

He warned those who indulge in such illegal activities of oil theft to desist from such illegitimate business, as the Nigerian Navy would not allow them to find peace.

As Navy marks 68, Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL), Victoria Island,  Lagos, has carried out free medical outreach at Iru Local Government.

The outreach targeted residents and individuals unable to access basic healthcare due to social or economic barriers. Launching the two-day exercise, Admiral Superintendent, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, described it as extension of a healing hand to the needy.

“The aim is to provide vital healthcare to individuals who may not have access to medical care.

“Through this, we seek to address immediate healthcare needs of underserved community by offering consultations, screenings, and treatment at no cost to beneficiaries.

Read Also: PWDS, CSOs urge Tinubu to appoint Tejuosho as humanitarian minister

“Additionally, we aim to raise awareness about preventive healthcare and promote well-being among our people.

“Our objective goes beyond medical care. We aspire to empower individuals to take charge and encourage a proactive approach to wellness.

 “By offering education on disease prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and access to resources, we promote long-term health outcomes and improve quality of life,” he said

Free eye screening were conducted and glasses given out based on specific challenges.

Malaria and other health issues were checked. Those requiring immediate treatment were offered same and those needing further examination given a referral to specialists.

A vessel, MT Prestigious, apprehended on suspicion of engaging in illegal oil bunkering, is still in the custody of the Nigerian Navy, it was learnt yesterday.

There were reports (not by The Nation) that the vessel, which was arrested in the Bonny area, had been released by the Navy as alleged by an interest group.

However, security sources said the suspect vessel is still in the custody of the Navy.

The vessel belongs to an oil service and transportation company, Newcross Exploration and Production Limited, which uses it to service barges that convey crude to oil export mother ships on the high seas off Bonny. 

It was arrested by the Inspector-General of Police’s Oil Bunkering Team on suspicion of engaging in illegal oil bunkering.

Read Also:FG commits to completing Abuja-Kaduna-Kastina-Kano highway in 2025

The team and a private security company engaged by the NNPCL handed over the vessel to the Navy, with an investigation ongoing.

Newcross Exploration and Production has insisted that the vessel was not engaged in any illegal activity. 

The company said the vessel is legally engaged by oil production companies for conveying crude to the Bonny Terminal SBM 3.

It said the crew on the vessel has since made useful statements to investigators.

The company has also issued a detailed report and formal statement on the incident and the transparency of the vessel’s mission and engagements to relevant agencies of government, including the National Security Adviser and all Service Chiefs.

The company’s officials lamented the loss being incurred over the vessel’s arrest, including economic losses due to the disruption of the vessel’s services to its client companies.

The disruption of the company’s crude oil barging services to mother vessels on the high seas has led to disruptions in some oil export activities and losses to the economy, the officials said.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has described the acquisition of two new high-endurance offshore patrol vessels for the Nigerian Navy as a show of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to a statement issued by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, First Lady Tinubu who spoke at the launch ceremony in Turkey, said the vessels will significantly boost maritime security and drive economic prosperity through the blue economy.

The two newly launched 76-meter vessels, built by Turkish shipyard Dearsan, are expected to bolster the Navy’s capability to combat piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes in Nigeria’s offshore waters.

With their extended endurance and deployment range, the patrol ships will also aid in enforcing regulatory compliance and surveillance over Nigeria’s economic exclusion zone and the Gulf of Guinea.

 The Offshore Patrol vessels are both 76.90 meters in length, a beam of 11.90m and can accommodate 47 crew members.

The First Lady commended Dearsan for its “high-quality shipbuilding capability” and expressed optimism that the launch marked the start of greater cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey in areas of defense and economic development.

She said “the acquisition of the High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels is another feat in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to Nigerian Navy’s Fleet renewed efforts towards a more secured maritime environment for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

“As we appreciate the processes that have brought us here today, I want to commend Dearsan Shipyard for the high-quality ship building capability as well as for attaining this milestone, leading to the launching of the second Offshore Patrol Vessel.

“Our gathering here today will undoubtedly strengthen the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the shipyard as well as between Nigerian and Turkish governments,” she said.

Read Also: New Navy vessels’ll boost maritime security, economy – First Lady

Earlier, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle expressed optimism that the newly launched vessels would enhance the nation’s maritime sector.

“I attest to the dedication and commitment of the Nigerian Navy not only to secure our territorial waters but also to see to an improved blue economy and the impact of these vessels on their activities would be significant”, he said.

The Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Oglala noted that the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the welfare of men of the Nigerian Navy and his resolve to provide all that is needed to enhance their job, would ultimately result in reduced crimes in the maritime domain.

In their remarks the Deputy Minister of Defence, Suay Alpay and the Secretary of Defence, Haluk Gorgun stated that there is room for more cooperation with Nigeria not only in the area of security but also economic development.

The First Lady then performed the age long tradition of slipping the ship into water.

The Nigerian Navy has expressed concerns over increasing incidents of stowaways on Nigerian waters. 

It said a total of 75 stowaways were arrested in different ships and cargo in the maritime areas within Lagos from August 2023 to April 2024.

Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore A Adama-Aliu, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, April 17.

Adams-Aliu said the stowaways were apprehended during operations within the past nine  months.

He said: “In line with the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to vector Quick Response Teams (QRT) to all parts of Nigeria’s territorial waters.

“During the operations, the QRT carefully extracted the stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessels.”

The Nation reports that a stowaway is someone who is secreted on a ship, or in cargo without the consent of the shipowners or the master or any other responsible person. 

Giving details of the incidents, the Navy’s spokesperson said five stowaways were arrested in MSC MARTHA at Lagos Channel in August 2023, while eight stowaways were arrested in CHARMINAR PANAMA at Lagos Fairway Buoy in September 2022.

Read Also: Navy firefighters, federal fire service avert inferno at Abuja shopping Mall

He said: “ In October 2023, 11 stowaways were arrested 

GWANGZHOU HIGHWAY PANAMA

at Lagos Channel, in November 2022, eight were arrested in NATA ship at Lagos Fairway Buoy, in December 2023, four were arrested in CONTAINER VESSEL TEME at Lagos Channel.

“ Others are: two stowaways were arrested in GRANDE GUINEA at Lagos Fairway Buoy in December 2023; 14 were arrested in MT UOG CONSTANTINE at Lagos Channel

on December 2023; three were arrested in FRONT ALTIERS at Lagos Fairway Buoy in January 2024; four arrested in MT CHIP at 

Lagos Channel in February 2024; three were arrested in MT ADVANTAGE LOVE at Lagos Channel in March 2024. Nine arrested in MT LYSIAS VALLETTA Lagos Fairway Buoy in

March 2024, and four arrested in 

MT PRINCESS ERIN Lagos Channel in April 2024.”

The Navy’s spokesperson said all  apprehended stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.

He described migration as a stowaway as “illegal, dangerous and is considered a security threat to shipowners.”

He cautioned the public on the dangers of attempting to travel as a stowaway, which he said include “severe legal consequences and significant health risks such as negative effects of harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries and even death.”

Firefighters of the Nigerian Navy and personnel of the Federal Fire Service have combated a raging fire at UTC Shopping Plaza, Garki, Abuja.

Navy Spokesman, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said this in a statement on Tuesday, April 16.

He said an incident, which occurred on Monday, April 15, was caused by an electric spark.

Adams-Aliu said: “According to the source, an electric spark in one of the plaza shops ignited the fire outbreak with the potential to consume many other shops & properties.

Read Also: Navy hands over fishing trawler, 12 crew members to FDF in Bayelsa

“However, as the fire surged, the NN Firemen were called in to assist the Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the National Defence College (NDC) Fire Service in fighting the flames.

“On arrival, the NN Firemen swung into action and the situation was brought under control. Thankfully no lives were lost and damage to properties was limited.”

The Nigerian Navy (NN) through its Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO in Brass, Bayelsa state, has handed over Motor Fishing Trawler (MFT) OLOKUN XIV and 12 crew members to the Federal Department of Fisheries (FDF) in the state.

The Commanding Officer, FOB FORMOSO, Capt. Murtala Aminu Rogo stated that MFT OLOKUN XIV was arrested on April 6, 2024, around Madu oil field offshore trawling with an inoperative Automatic Identification System (AIS), which violates maritime law.

He said such violations would not be tolerated by the Navy.

The Commanding Officer was represented by the Executive Office Commander M.A Gada.

Rogo further said that the Nigerian Navy would not relent in its effort towards policing and enforcing all maritime laws to get rid of all forms of crimes in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

He said: “I wish to advise all mariners to be law-abiding as they engage the Nigerian maritime domain. 

“Pertinently, the Federal Department of Fisheries must through the Nigerian Trawler Operators Association (NTOA) warn all fishing trawlers to desist from using fishing trawlers to aid illegalities at sea.”

While handing over the trawler, he urged the FDF that the Base was expecting an official notification of the outcome of the investigation at the appropriate time.

Rogo said that the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla is determined to ensure that the Nigerian maritime domain remains secure and safe for all legitimate businesses to thrive.