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Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Navy discovers 30 new illegal refineries in Rivers

    Navy discovers 30 new illegal refineries in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy says it has discovered 30 new illegal refineries with combined capacity to produce about four million litres of petroleum products daily.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, said this during the destruction of one of the illegal refineries on Thursday.

    He said all the illegal refineries were discovered in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers with 40 huge metallic storage tanks.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the storage tanks were filled with petroleum products suspected to be diesel and crude oil.

    According to Choji, the discovery was in continuation of the current mop-up of illegal refineries and illicit bunkering of petroleum products by crude oil thieves.

    “The discovery was in compliance with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas strategic directive to rid Rivers  of all forms of maritime illegalities.

    “Following this directive, troops started an onslaught and discovered the very heart of the production line and infrastructure of illegal bunkering at Iyalama community in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers.

    “The 30 refineries have capacity to refine between three to four million litres of diesel daily – which is quite massive.

    “The sizes of the illegal refineries show that the LGA is indeed the epicentre of illegal bunkering activities in the state,” he said.

    Choji said the navy had deployed a “Swamp Buggy” machine with intent to reduce the ability of operators of the illicit enterprises to revive the illegal refineries.

    He said the use of  the machine  was part of   the new strategy   which involves  complete crushing of metal tanks rather than setting both storage tanks and petroleum products ablaze.

    The new strategy, he said, was adopted following reports that burning of illegal refineries was partly responsible for the current air pollution in Port Harcourt.

    Choji, who said the navy was committed to protecting the environment and health of residents, gave an  assurance that it would carry out its mandate in line with global best practices.

    He said the activities of the oil thieves  had  affected the economic fortunes  of the country  and  polluted the environment.

    “There has been an outcry on sedimentation of sooth within the atmosphere and sometimes erroneously misconstrued to be from activities of the military against illegal bunkers.

    “However, the Nigerian navy has adopted the use of swamp buggy which at the moment is the most environmentally friendly approach to our fight against oil theft,” he said.

     

  • Navy discovers 30 new illegal refineries in Rivers

    Navy discovers 30 new illegal refineries in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy says it has discovered 30 new illegal refineries with combined capacity to produce about four million litres of petroleum products daily.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the  Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt,  said this during the  destruction of one of the illegal refineries on Thursday.

    He said all the illegal refineries were discovered in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers  with 40 huge metallic storage tanks .

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the storage tanks were filled  with petroleum products suspected to be diesel and crude oil.

    According to Choji, the discovery was  in continuation of the  current mop-up of illegal refineries and illicit bunkering of petroleum products by crude oil thieves.

    “The discovery was in compliance with the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas strategic directive to rid Rivers  of all forms of maritime illegalities.

    “Following this directive, troops started an onslaught and discovered the very heart of the production line and infrastructure of illegal bunkering at Iyalama community in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers.

    “The 30 refineries have capacity to refine between three to four million litres of diesel daily – which is quite massive.

    “The sizes of the illegal refineries show that the LGA is indeed the epicentre of illegal bunkering activities in the state,” he said.

    Choji said the navy had deployed a “Swamp Buggy” machine with intent to reduce the ability of operators of the illicit enterprises to revive the illegal refineries.

    He said the use of  the machine  was part of   the new strategy   which involves  complete crushing of metal tanks rather than setting both storage tanks and petroleum products ablaze.

    The new strategy, he said, was adopted following reports that burning of illegal refineries was partly responsible for the current air pollution in Port Harcourt.

    Choji, who said the navy was committed to protecting the environment and health of residents, gave an  assurance that it would carry out its mandate in line with global best practices.

    He said the activities of the oil thieves  had  affected the economic fortunes  of the country  and  polluted the environment.

    “There has been an outcry on sedimentation of sooth within the atmosphere and sometimes erroneously misconstrued to be from activities of the military against illegal bunkers.

    “However, the Nigerian navy has adopted the use of swamp buggy which at the moment is the most environmentally friendly approach to our fight against oil theft,” he said.

  • Over 2,000 intakes undergoing naval training – Naval chief

    Over 2,000 intakes undergoing naval training – Naval chief

    The Nigerian Navy says it is currently training over 2,000 new intakes to support other security agencies in internal security operations in the country.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Obi Ofodile, disclosed this while on familiarisation tour of navy training school in Onne, Rivers.

    Ofodile also said that the navy was currently upgrading its facilities and expanding its training programmes to meet with expected high intake into the service.

    According to him, the navy was not unmindful of the need for quality training for both new intakes and officers and ratings.

    “The Nigerian navy has been increasing its intake of new trainees but cannot just make significant increase overnight otherwise it would produce half-baked personnel.

    “The reason for curtailing number of new intakes is that the facilities have to be directly proportional to the number of intakes.

    “However, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, is currently providing new facilities and improving existing ones to take care of the number that we want.

    “Also, new buildings equipped with state-of-the-art facilities are springing up aimed to improve personnel proficiency to perform their duties professionally and efficiently,” he said.

    Ofodile said that the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS); Nigerian Navy College (NNC) and the recently inaugurated Nigerian War College would drive its training programmes.

    He said aside infrastructure development the CNS was equally passionate to expanding its training programme for effective service delivery to the country.

    The naval chief said that paucity of funds had partly affected the desire of the navy to expand its training programmes to accommodate more personnel.

    “Just as the saying goes: if a person pays N10 for security, the individual will get N10 security – meaning that if an individual wants quality security then he or she has to pay for it.

    “It is in this vein that the CNS has been supporting NAVTRAC with means to maintain quality training and retraining of personnel in the navy,” he said.

  • Navy, others defy rain to reassure residents of security

    Navy, others defy rain to reassure residents of security

    To establish its presence and reassure Nigerians of their security, the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies on Saturday morning embarked on a-thousand-man route march.

    The march, which commenced at about 5:00 a.m. from the headquarters, Naval Training Command  (NAVTRAC), Apapa, progressed through Ijora, Costain to Ojuelegba and back despite the heavy downpour.

    An initiative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, the exercise was primarily organised to test the physical fitness and mental alertness of personnel.

    The Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took part in the exercise that lasted about four hours.

    According to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile, the march was to reassure the populace that their security forces were in charge.

    He said: “When you see military men march on the street, one of the objectives, whether defined or not is to reassure the public that we are in charge. In fact they are much safer than ever. It is a way of reassuring the public that all is well and every situation is under control.

    “This route march is a continuous thing and we will be doing it once in a while. I have no doubt that it would really strengthen the existing relationship between members of the armed forces and other security operatives.

    “We want to build and sustain good relationship with paramilitary agencies. For the armed forces, we have good relationship because we all train at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). By organising exercises like this, we want our colleagues in uniform in other agencies to know that we all are one.

    “From the turnout and participation, it is quite clear that we are all fit and healthy. I must commend the CNS, who directed that the commands and autonomous units of the navy should come up with a march where other security agencies would be invited to participate in order to foster understanding, friendship and oneness.

    “As a matter of fact we are created equal because we are the same. We could see from here that there is no one having two heads. All of us whether you are in the army, prisons or other paramilitary agencies, you have one head. “

     

  • Navy parades seven for impersonation

    Navy parades seven for impersonation

    The Nigerian Navy has paraded seven fake naval personnel alleged to have been terrorising and swindling commercial boat operators in Rivers.

    Commodore Sam Bura, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, paraded the suspects and the weapons found with them before newsmen on Monday in Port Harcourt.

    Bura said the men used fake naval uniforms, identification cards and paraded themselves as personnel of the Merchant Navy with the intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

    According to him, the arrest followed incessant terror reports by the commercial boat operators at Abuloma Jetty area of Port Harcourt.

    “On July 19, naval troops raided criminal hideouts along Abuloma Jetty and arrested seven suspects who belonged to an illegal outfit known as Merchant Navy Seafarers Association of Nigeria.

    “Weapons seized from the suspects are machetes, assorted knives, electric shock baton and a vehicle that is boldly written: ‘Merchant Navy’.

    “The suspects while undergoing interrogation claimed that they were at Abuloma jetty to enforce safety regulations to commercial boat operators.

    “One wonders how an individual or organisation could use machetes, knives and electric shock baton to enforce safety regulations if not to intimidate and extort members of the public,” he said.

    Bura, represented by Cdr. Mamman Alushi of the NNS Pathfinder Base Intelligent Office, alleged that the group extorted huge sums of money from residents and companies who mistook them for naval personnel.

    Bura said that the Merchant Navy and other related organisations were proscribed by a Federal Government Gazette in 2013 over breach to national security and impersonation of the navy.

    He said that in 2016 when the Navy raided one of the group’s camps in Isaka, in Okirika Local Government of Rivers, the organisation had over 1,000 recruits.

    “Investigation revealed that the organisation, which charged minimum of N250,000 for entry, trained the recruits in weapons handling.

    “You will agree with me that this has become an army ready to be exploited by anybody,” he said.

    Bura said the suspects and weapons would be handed-over to the police for further investigation and possible arraignment.

    The commander advised youths against joining the organisation and warned sponsors of the organisation to desist from carrying out their illegal activities.

  • EFCC grills 24 suspected oil thieves

    EFCC grills 24 suspected oil thieves

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Friday it has commenced investigation into the activities of 24 suspected oil thieves arrested and handed over to it by the Nigerian Navy.

    The Spokesman of the Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on Friday that the suspects were arrested by the Naval Forward Operating Base in Bonny, Rivers State, in March.

    According to him, the suspects and their operating vessels were seized at different locations and dates on the Nigerian waterways.

    He said the first batch of eight suspects, who were crew members of one of the vessels, MV ROCKFISH, were arrested on board the vessel on Bonny River on March 24.

    He identified them as Christian Nwokoafor (Captain), Solomon Avwenagha (Engineer), Eginwin Felix, Anthony Onyenedum, Bassey Akpan, Ezra Njoku, Moses Jonah and Imah Michael.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Victor Adedipe, handed them over to the EFCC, the spokesman said.

    He said another batch of seven crew members were nabbed on board MT BLESSED within Bonny Channel on March 31.

    He said the vessel was laden with about one million litres of products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

    Similarly, he identified the seven suspects as Epiagolo Moscow (Captain), Innocent Omokett, Pius Ehrimu, Prosper Dickson, Akeem Ganiyu, Obinna Udekwe and Michael Ajilaran.

    “A third set of nine crew members – Titus Akinbulejo, Ogunfeyimi Abayomi, Jacob Oweh, Stanley Keme Perdoude, Ifeanyi Uzoka, Agusionu Ifeanyi Teddisson, Nwaoha Vincent Ugochukwu, Olatunji Ebenezer and Idoko Emmanuel Paul onboard MT MONA 1 were arrested on March 20 within Bonny water.

    “They were conveying unspecified quantity of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

    “In all, 24 suspects and three vessels laden with products were handed over to the EFCC,” Uwujaren said.

  • Navy foils merchant ship hijack

    Navy foils merchant ship hijack

    The Nigerian Navy said on Friday it  foiled an attempted hijack of a Merchant Vessel, MV UAL HOUSTON, close to the  Bonny Fairway Buoy, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

    The Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Capt. Suleman Dahun, said in a statement in Abuja that the incident occurred at 7.45 a.m. on Thursday.

    He said six suspected sea robbers boarded the vessel but were unable to access the ship’ s living quarters, bridge or machinery room as the ship was on lockdown by the crew.

    “Subsequently, on receipt of the ship’s distress call, the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny dispatched a boat to rescue the vessel,” Dahun said.

    “On sighting the naval patrol boat, the robbers abandoned their hijack plot and fled.”

    He said preliminary investigation revealed that no crew member was abducted nor any item stolen during the attack.

    He noted that the Navy had sustained the recent successes recorded in the operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other illegal activities in the Niger Delta.

     

     

  • Navy seize five vessels, arrest 76 suspected oil thieves in Rivers

    Navy seize five vessels, arrest 76 suspected oil thieves in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy says it has impounded five vessels and two metallic barges illegally transporting 1,690 metric tons of diesel, in an operation in Rivers.

    Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Victor Adedipe, said on Thursday that the command had handed over the vessels, barges and 76 suspects to prosecuting security agencies in Onne, Rivers.

    The 76 all-male crew members on board the vessels were received by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Adedipe said the vessels: MT Anino, MT Rockfish, MT Blessed, MT Mona I, and MT Leadership were seized at different locations in the state.

    The commander said troops on routine patrol caught MT Anino towing a barge with undisclosed quantity of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined diesel.

    “On May 29, MT Anino was caught in the act operating side-by-side with a barge which was filled up with undisclosed quantity of petroleum product suspected to be stolen.

    “No fewer than 26 all-male crew members who were on board the vessel were detained,” he said.

    Adedipe said that troops on March 24 impounded MT Rockfish with 70 metric tons of diesel while MT Blessed laden with about 880 metric tons of diesel was seized on March 31.

    He disclosed that MT Mona I was caught on April 20 with 740 tons of diesel while MT Leadership was caught towing a barge with undisclosed quantity of product believed to be diesel.

    “MT Blessed had seven crew members on board; MT Rockfish eight and MT Mona I had nine crew members at the time of their seizures.

    “A total of 76 all-male crew members from the vessels had been in our custody providing interrogators useful information on the source of the products.

    “We have been able to conduct volumetric and forensic analysis of the petroleum product which determined that the signature did not fit into NNPC standard,” he said.

    Adedipe warned criminals against attack on oil and gas installations, saying that severe sanctions awaited anyone caught involved in criminality on the nation’s maritime environment.

    The FOC said the navy through its Maritime Awareness Capability strategy would insert more gunboats and platforms to cover all nooks and crannies of the sea and creeks.

    The EFCC Zonal Head, South-South, Mr Ishaq Salihu, who received vessels, Rockfish; Blessed and Mona I and 22 suspects, said the commission would conduct thorough investigation into the matter.

    “This handover is part of renewed collective effort by security agencies to stop oil bunkering and violent crimes to enable both socio-economic activities to thrive on our waterways,” Salihu said.

    Mr Muhammad Haruna, the Commandant, NSCDC Rivers command, assured that the suspects would be arraigned if found culpable of the allegations against them.

  • Navy takes free medical mission to late Alamieyeseigha’s community

    Navy takes free medical mission to late Alamieyeseigha’s community

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy, at the weekend, embarked on free medical mission to Amassoma, the community of late former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    The people of the community led by their Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Amananaowei of Amassoma, Maj. Graham Naigba (retd) participated in the medical mission and were freely treated of various ailments.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, who led senior officers of the command to Amassoma, said the medical mission was borne out of the desire to tackle the health needs of the people.

    He said the navy since September 2016 has been going to various communities in its Area of Operation (AoR) to offer free medical treatments to the people.

    Garba said such medical missions, as part of civil-military relations, had enabled the navy to move closer to the people and win their confidence.

    He also added that the mission would form part of his handover not to the new FOC, who was expected to take over from him soon.

    He said the communities visited by the navy appreciated the gesture, which had helped to drastically reduce attacks on oil pipelines.

    According to him the people had shown their appreciation by giving timely information of miscreants’ and vandals’ activities to the navy.

    “Such information has given us the intelligence to be more proactive in handling issues of economic sabotage. Out of their appreciation of what we do for them, they come to is and give us information”, he said.

    On his part, the traditional ruler, Naingba, thanked the navy for their gesture describing it as commendable.

    He appealed to them to do more for his community to enable his people overcome the scourge of diseases.

    He said the community had never witnessed such well-organised and big free medical intervention and assured the navy of his community’s cooperation.

     

  • Navy redeploys 21 senior officers

    Navy redeploys 21 senior officers

    The Nigerian Navy on Thursday redeployed 21 Rear Admirals to its commands, formations and tri-service departments across the country.

    The redeployment was part of routine restructuring for efficient service made by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas.

    According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Captain Suleman Dahun, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, has been posted to the Naval Headquarters as Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPS), while Rear Admiral SAG Abbah would take over from him.

    Rear Admiral VO Adedipe has been appointed FOC Eastern Naval Command (ENC), while Rear Admiral Joseph Oluwole will serve as Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters.

    Rear Admiral PA Onaji, formerly Commander, Eastern Fleet, has been appointed FOC Logistics Command, while Rear Admiral OF Ofodile was deployed to Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) as FOC.

    Dahun said: “Rear Admiral AB Al-Hassan, formerly Director, Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, is the new FOC Central Naval Command (CNC). Rear Admiral SMD Usman, formerly Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Logistics Command, moves to Naval Headquarters as Director Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate.

    “Rear Admiral HA Babalola retains his appointment as Chief of Policy and Plans, while Rear Admiral Adesina Osinowo is now the Commandant National Defence College (NDC). Rear Admiral Bergroy Ibe-Enwo resumes at the Naval Headquarters as Chief of Naval Standards and Safety, while Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed,  Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji.

    “Rear Admiral T Dick has been appointed Chief of Administration, while Rear Admiral MA Emuekpere, formerly Director of Naval Intelligence is now CSO WNC. Rear Admiral NP Aliyu moves to DIA as Director of Logistics, while Rear Admiral SI Enoch has been appointed Director of Search and Rescue, Defence Headquarters.

    “Rear Admiral MM Kadiri is now the Navy Secretary, while Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia resumes as Commandant Naval War College. Rear Admiral OH Ngalabak has been appointed Director of Operations Naval Headquarters while Rear Admiral FF Ogu resumes as CSO CNC. Rear Admiral AZ Gambo has been deployed as CSO NAVTRAC.”