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Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Nigerian Navy Promotes 78 Senior Officers

    Nigerian Navy Promotes 78 Senior Officers

    The Nigerian Navy has announced the promotion of a total of 78 Senior Officers in the service following the approval by the Navy Board on Monday.

    According to a statement endorsed by the Acting Director of Information, Nigerian Navy (DINFO) Group Captain Suleman Dahun, 18 Commodores were promoted to the rank of Rear Admirals and 40 Captains to the rank of Commodores.

    The statement reads:  “The Navy Board has approved the promotions of 78 senior officers. The breakdown shows 18 commodores were promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, 40 captains were promoted to the flag rank of Commodore and 20 commanders were promoted to the rank of Captain.

    “Among the newly promoted rear admirals are Commodore Michael Ebe, Director of Administration, Nigerian Defence Academy-Kaduna, Commodore David Adeniran, Commodore Naval Drafting, Commodore Uchenna Onyia, Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command Oghara-Delta State, Commodore Ahamefule Eluwa, a Moderator at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru-Jos and Commodore Dolapo Kolawole, Commander NNS LUGARD, Lokoja-Kogi State.

    “Other new rear admirals are Commodore Shuwa Mohammed, Deputy Director Monitoring and Evaluation at Defence Headquarters, Commodore Maurice Eno, Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji, Director of Operations, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Jatau Luka, Director of Logistics, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi-Lagos, Commodore Ibikunle Olaiya, Director of Naval Intelligence, Commodore Kamarudeen Lawal, Director of Logistics, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji-Kaduna and Commodore Saidu Garba, Commander NNS JUBILEE, Ikot Abasi.

    “Also in the list of newly promoted rear admirals are Commodore Jasson Gbassa, Director of Manning, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, Deputy Director (Navy) Liaison Senate, Commodore Samaila Lassa, Nigeria’s Defence Attache to South Africa, Commodore Muhammad Nagenu, Director of Air Operations, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Mbom Ekanem-Nesiama, Commander, Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo-Lagos and Commodore Aminu Almu, Director of Naval Education, Naval Headquarters.”

  • Navy to launch 20 new patrol boats in Delta-Ag.Director

    Navy to launch 20 new patrol boats in Delta-Ag.Director

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) says it will on Saturday inaugurate 20 new patrol boats at NNS DELTA in Warri, Delta.

    The Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Navy Capt. Suleiman Dahun, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to Dahun, the boats comprised 16 locally built Epenal boats and four Rigid Hull Inflatable boats, imported from South Africa.

    He explained that the induction of the boats was part of the key priorities in the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice- Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas’s Strategic Directives of 2017.

    The acting director said further that the induction was aimed at boosting the service operations on the Nigerian Navy.

    “Accordingly, the service deeply appreciates the support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, toward the recapitalisation efforts of the NN.

    “The newly acquired patrol boats will be deployed to boost the NN’s ongoing operations in tackling maritime five crimes,’’ he said.

    Dahun named the five crimes as: ‘’crude oil theft, illegal refining of crude oil and other unwholesome security threats in maritime domain.”

    Dahun assured all legitimate stakeholders operating in the maritime environment of the readiness of the service to provide efficient security for unhindered socio-economic activities and ensure national prosperity.

  • Navy launches “Octopus Grip” to combat crime in Delta

    The Nigerian Navy Central Naval Command, has launched the Phase Two of it’s “Octopus Grip Exercise” to further combat criminalities in the maritime domain.

    Rear Adm. Bello Al-Hassan,Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, performed the flag-off on Wednesday at the Warri Naval base.

    Al-Hassan said the operation was to consolidate on the successes of the “Operation Rivers Sweep” that was launched by the command in January.

    He said the 11 gunboats from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA had been deployed for the operation, adding that the exercise would be going on simultaneously in other Commands.

    “We started the first phase of the Octopus Grip which is “sea exercise” on Oct. 30 in Onne, we are here to kick-start the phase two which is “riverine operation” in Warri.

    “Eleven gunboats from the NNS DELTA will be used for the exercise and it will be going on simultaneously in other Commands of the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

    The FOC said shortly after the flag-off, the navy proceeded to an illegal refinery camp covering about 30 hectares in Bennett Island in Warri South to destroy some illegal refineries.

    “We have used Swamp boogies to destroy their equipment about two weeks ago and they came back again, we are going to sustain this operation and continue to use Swamp boogies because it is environmental friendly,” he said.

    He said that the Command had identified about 200 illegal camps with a lot of illegal refineries, adding that the exercise would help to further rid the creeks of crude oil theft

    Al-Hassan appealed to the perpetrators to indulge in legal businesses noting that their action was counter-productive  to the economy and the ecosystem.

    “It is going to take a long time for the environment to be useful for meaningful farming, and again, it is also creating a lot of problem to the government in terms of stealing of crude oil,” he said.

    The FOC, however, said that constant use of Swamp boogies and the introduction of Modular refineries later would help to nip the menace in the bud.

    One helicopter was also displayed alongside the 11 gunboats at the Bennett Island.

  • Navy arrests two men with illegally refined diesel

    Navy arrests two men with illegally refined diesel

    The Nigerian Navy in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom state, says it has handed over two young men to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested for illegal possession of refined diesel.

    Commander of NNS Jubilee Ikot Abasi, Saidu Suleiman Garba said Anthony Usoro 40 and Uyobong Emmanuel 34 were caught with a vehicle loaded with illegally refined petroleum product.

    Garba said the suspects were arrested while conveying 20 cellophane bags containing about one and half drums of a product suspected to be illegally refined diesel from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to sell in Akwa Ibom State.

    Handing the suspects over to the NSCDC yesterday Cdre Saidu Suleiman Garba, Commander NNS Jubilee, represented by Commander Murtala Yunusa said Usoro and Emmanuel were arrested last Sunday by Op Thunder along Oruk Anam axis of Aqua Ibom State with 20 cellophane bags of products suspected to be illegally refined diesel.

    He said, “The cellophane bags were stacked in the boot of a black Honda Legend Salon car with registration number DB 724 PH and covered with cartons of Indomie noodles The Nigerian Navy recognises the jurisdiction and constitutional role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “Therefore I request you to take over the accused persons and the vehicle loaded with 20 cellophane bags of the product suspected to be illegally refined diesel for further investigation and prosecution. The tempo will continue until we rid our society of this illegality”

    Taking over the suspects, the NSCDC represented by Inspector Abel Ojimba thanked the Nigerian Navy for partnering them and for the effort simply adding, “We to advise people to desist from this form of criminality”

    The suspects In their defence, admitted to committing the crime though they said it was their first time to be involved in the illegal business.

    Uyobong Emmanuel, an indigene of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State said both of them planned to go into the business to be able to have some money in their pockets.

    “We have not been doing it before. I am running taxi for some body in Port Harcourt. I was supposed to go for a church programme at Abak in Akwa Ibom but I did not have any money in my pocket and I said let me use the opportunity to do this business so that I can have little money that will help me go for the church programme.

    “I met with my friend Anthony who was also looking for money to go and see his sick father. Both of us agreed to do the business together so that when we sell it we share the profit. We even bought the product on credit to repay after sales”, Emmanuel said.

    Similarly Anthony Usoro a native of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area said he decided to do the because he needed money to buy drugs for his sick father who had called form the village complaining about his severe ailment.

    “I am not into the business it is because I came to see my sick dad that is how when he (Emmanuel) approached me I agreed And we had agreement that when we sell the diesel we share the profit equally.

    “I know Emmanuel very well as a friend and taxi driver but not as a dealer in this business, so this is the first time both of us are
    doing this. I am a driver to a lawyer in Port Harcourt and he owned the car that we were arrested with but he doesn’t know I used his vehicle to do this business. He does not even know that I am here” he said.

  • Breaking: Navy uncovers vandals’ den in Lagos

    Breaking: Navy uncovers vandals’ den in Lagos

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) have uncovered a hotel used to syphon petroleum products at Abule Egba.

    The discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon following a tip-off by residents of the community.

    Navy vandals den
    Entrance to the uncovered vandals’ den

    It was gathered that the operatives stormed the premises and found that pipes were connected from the hotel rooms directly to the pipeline and a well, which they used as a reserve.

    Tankers were said to have frequented the community where the load the stolen product for shipping to Benin-Republic and other neighbouring countries.

    Details soon…

  • Nigerian Navy hosts South Africa naval chief

    The Nigerian Navy has hosted the Chief of Navy from South Africa, Vice Admiral Mosiwa Samuel Hlongwane, to a grand reception during his visit to the naval command.

    Hlongwane, who was taken on a facility tour of the Naval Dockyard on Victoria Island, the Naval Air Base at Ojo and the Western Naval Command at Apapa, all in Lagos, said the visit was in reciprocation of the friendly tie established by Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas.

    The South African naval chief said positive deliberations on strategic framework for information sharing and cross-fertilisation of ideas would be made to deepen the longstanding cooperation with the Nigerian Navy, which started in the 1990s.

    Airing his impression of the Nigerian Navy’s equipment, Hlongwane described the facility as up-to-par with international counterpart.

    He said: “The Nigerian Navy is a competitive navy; we have been working with them very closely. They are the first navy to get on South African coast and, as a result, we hold them in very high esteem. This is a reciprocal visit to my counterpart, who visited me earlier this year. It is an official working visit. After this visit, our relationship will be strong and strengthened from point to point.”

    Ibas also hosted his South African counterpart to a ceremonial feast in company of other high-ranking naval officers.

  • Okowa hails Nigerian Navy for peace in Niger Delta

    Okowa hails Nigerian Navy for peace in Niger Delta

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday commended the Nigerian Navy for ensuring peace, checking piracy and securing oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

    Okowa made the commendation when he received the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Oghara, Rear Adm. Peter Onaji, who led top officers of the Command on a familiarisation visit to Asaba.

    He charged the Navy not to relent in its efforts to protect oil and gas facilities in the region.

    “The activities of the Navy have helped to curb sea piracy and protection of national assets, especially facilities that transport crude and gas.

    “It is important that the Navy does not relax on its duties, because of the importance of having secure maritime for socio-economic activities.

    “Today, we have peace in the creeks largely due to the efficiency of the Navy in collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders which has impacted greatly on the economy of the country,” the Governor said.

    He also commended the Chief of Naval Staff for his commitment to developing the Navy in the wake of any challenge, adding that his initiatives had been felt in Delta and the entire region.

    He charged the Navy to make its Medical facilities and Educational Institutions available to the general public while assuring that his administration would partner with it to build a secondary school in the state.

    Onaji told the governor that he was recently posted as the Commanding Officer in charge of Logistics Command, Oghara, and that his visit was to intimate him with the activities of the command.

    He thanked the governor for his administration’s numerous assistance to the Navy and other security agencies operating in the state.

    He said that the Navy would ensure the securing of the waterways and would also be available to tackle security issues as the need arose.

  • Navy holds route march, assures Cross River residents of safety

    Navy holds route march, assures Cross River residents of safety

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, on Saturday said it was committed to its constitutional role of providing security for all residents in Cross River.

    Rear Adm.Victor Adedipe, Flag Officer Commanding the command, made the disclosure at the end of the command’s third quarter route march in Calabar.

    Adedipe said that the route march was a routine exercise organised by the Naval Headquarters and geared towards ascertaining the physical fitness and mental alertness of the personnel.

    The FOC, who led the personnel on the route march, added that the exercise was observed quarterly with a view to also re-assure members of the public of their safety.

    “As a security agency, we remain fully committed to our constitutional role of providing security along the water ways and on ground.

    “This exercise is held primarily to keep the personnel very fit for the job. The exercise is also taking place simultaneously across all Navy formations in the country.

    “The exercise is all about keeping fit and that is what is expected of any member of the armed forces to remain physically and medically fit.

    “With what I saw today, I am happy to say that personnel of the command  are combat ready in maintaining peace and order in the society and for any military exercise,“ he said.

    He urged personnel of the command to be committed and fully alert in their area of operation.

    Adedipe said the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies in the state with a view to providing security for the residents.

    He commended the personnel who participated in the march for showing a lot of zeal and high spirit needed for the job.

    NAN reports that the march began at the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNS-V) through IBB road, Marian road, MCC road, Calabar highway and ended at NNS-V.

  • Navy intercepts 1.1m litres of alleged stolen diesel in Rivers

    Navy intercepts 1.1m litres of alleged stolen diesel in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 1.1 million litres of diesel allegedly stolen from pipelines belonging to multinational oil companies in Rivers.

    No fewer than 13 suspects have also been arrested on account of their alleged role in illegal shipment of petroleum products to undisclosed locations in the state.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS), Port Harcourt, disclosed this to journalist on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    Choji said the seizure and arrest was sequel to the intensified mop-up operation in the Niger Delta ordered by naval authorities to stamp out oil theft and illegal refining in the region.

    He said that a vessel, a tug boat, a barge and five large wooden boats were also seized at different locations during the operation.

    The seized items and suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.

    “In line with strategic directives to rid Rivers State of oil theft and illegal bunkering, troops of NNS Pathfinder under Operation Delta Safe, made some arrests and seizures at different locations.

    “On May 6, troops intercepted and seized a vessel, MT Preye I and five very large wooden boats with about 409,399 litres of suspected refined diesel at Eagle Island.

    “Eleven crew members on board the vessel were subsequently arrested and had been in our custody undergoing investigation,” he said.

    Choji said the suspects were caught while loading the petroleum product from five wooden boats in the late hours of the night.

    “Similarly, on June 19, troops impounded a tug boat, PK II, and a barge, Naomi 03, laden with about 700,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.

    “Two suspects were arrested over their involvement in the illegal shipment of the petroleum product,” he added.

    He said that a large number of troops had been deployed in the region in line with a harmonised standard operating procedure aimed at enforcing law and order in the area.

    The executive officer of the NNS assured that the navy would not rest in its bid to stop all forms of illegalities in the maritime environment.

    Receiving the items and the suspects, Mr Micheal Adukwu, a senior official of the EFCC, commended the navy and said that there was a synergy in the operations of the two security outfits.

    Adukwu assured that EFCC would carry out further investigations and prosecute the suspects.

  • Navy arrest vessel, crew for oil ‘theft’

    Navy arrest vessel, crew for oil ‘theft’

    The Nigerian Navy Friday handed over a Motor Tanker, MT WOLOF and its seven crew members to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged Automated Gas Oil (AGO) theft.

    The vessel, according to the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, was intercepted on June 30, around the Lagos Safe Anchorage Area (LSAA).

    He said: “At the time of the arrest, MT WOLOF was loaded with about 300 metric tons of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO and had seven crew members onboard.

    Investigation revealed that the vessel had no document to support the product it was carrying.”
    Eno said that the sample of the product onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory test which the result indicated that the product did not meet the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) specification.

    He said: “The result also did not meet the Standard Organization of Nigeria’s (SON) specification.

    “In view of this, the EFCC has to take charge for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    “The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas has zero tolerance for illegalities in our waters. The Navy therefore reiterates its drive to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain from criminal elements.

    “I advise defaulters to desist from such acts or face the wrath of the law. I also urge citizens to give useful information with regards to persons engaged in illegal act to the navy or other security agencies.”