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Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Calabar clash: Don’t take laws into your hands, CNS warns ratings

    Calabar clash: Don’t take laws into your hands, CNS warns ratings

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, has warned ratings of the Nigerian Navy not to take laws into their hands in the discharge of their professional duties.

    Ete-Ibas gave the warning Monday in Calabar after assessing the level of destruction of properties during the clash that occurred between the navy and police on May 30.

    The CNS, who was represented by Rear Adm. Adeniyi Osinowo, the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, described the clash as unfortunate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that on May 30, men of the police and the Nigerian Navy clashed in Calabar over some misunderstanding that occurred  at the traffic post on IBB road.

    During the clash, two policemen lost their lives while one navy rating was shot on his shoulder.

    The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. James Oluwole, the state Commissioner of Police Mr Hafiz Inuwa and other top security officer accompanied the CNS on the visit.

    The CNS said: “at the Naval headquarters in Abuja, the collaboration and coordination between the navy and the police remains very strong.

    “The relationship is still growing; nothing short of this is acceptable at your level as well.

    “Whatever has led to this incident, I want to also let you know that a joint investigation committee has commenced sitting to unravel the circumstances and apportion blame as necessary.

    “You have the bigger responsibility to protect the peace and maintain the security of the environment, the state and Nigeria in general.’’

    Ete-Ibas said that Inuwa, the commissioner of police had assured the navy that the police would maintain peace and cordiality.

    “An incident of this nature must not occur again. You are not permitted to take laws into your hands,’’ he warned.

    The CNS also visited the police officer that sustained bullet injuries at the police clinic as well as the naval rating who was injured at the navy hospital.

    During a visit to the state deputy Gov. Prof. Ivara Esu, both security chiefs pledged to work together for the peace and safety of the state.

    Esu, who said that the incident came as a shock to everyone, urged security agencies in the state to always promote inter-agency relationship.

    “The state governor, Ben Ayade, has promised to take responsibility for all the damages that were done including payment of the hospital bills of the victims.

    “I was consoled when security chiefs in the state rose up and step into the matter,’’ he said.

     

  • Navy investigates clash with Police in Calabar – Director

    The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy (NN), Navy Captain Suleman Dahun, on Wednesday, said investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the ugly incidence between the Navy and Police in Calabar.

    Dahun, who made this known in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said it was an unfortunate incidence that led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

    He said that, however, normalcy had since returned to Calabar after its personnel clashed with the Police on Tuesday,

    He said that the service would do everything humanly possible to avert future occurrence of such ugly clash.

    Dahun told NAN that everything had been resolved, and normalcy had also returned, saying “everybody was going about his or her business as usual.”

    NAN recalls that the clash between the two security outfits was caused by a disagreement between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light in Akim neighbourhood, downtown, Calabar, around 4p.m. on Tuesday.

    “By 8p.m., it had developed into a deadly riot, with suspected naval officers attacking a police divisional headquarters, killing three officers and injuring others after setting the facility alight.

    “A naval officer sustained gunshot wounds from suspected police fire. No inmates escaped during fracas,’’ police said.

  • CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    CDS inaugurates Naval War College in Rivers

    In its bid to tackle insecurity in Rivers state and in Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday inaugurated Naval War College in Ubima, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, who inaugurated the college, said the facility was temporal.

    He said the college is equipped with state-of-the-art security facility for effective combating of crime in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    “The Navy has relentlessly engaged in massive overhaul of operation support structure, fleet recapitalisation and decency priority.

    “The college will improve both physical and mental proficiency of troops to deal effectively on both land and marine operations across the country,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, described the college as the “highest and most advanced naval training centre’’ in the country.

    He said that aside military equipment; the college had accommodation, medical space and lecture halls, among others.

    “Naval staff would be trained in essential components of naval operations as obtainable in other top naval forces which have committed enormous resources to training.

    “The war college will improve the effectiveness of the Nigerian Navy while expanding knowledge, confidence and operation,” he said.

    Ibas commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Transport Chibuike Amaechi and Gov. Nyesom Wike for providing logistic support for the establishment of the college.

  • Nigerian Navy repositioning for enhanced operational efficiency – CNS

    Nigerian Navy repositioning for enhanced operational efficiency – CNS

    The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas, on Wednesday said the Nigerian Navy was being repositioned for enhanced operational efficiency in light of the emerging security threats in the nation’s maritime space.

    Ibas said this at a seminar organised for naval personnel to celebrate the Navy’s 61st anniversary.

    The naval chief, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ferguson Bobai, said the process would encompass the development of lasting policies and strategies that would position the service for enhanced operational efficiency and attitudinal change.

    “Human resource constitutes the most important asset for the Navy for performing its constitutional and emerging roles.

    “It is against this backdrop that the theme “Repositioning Nigerian Navy for Operational Efficiency through Human Capacity Development and Attitudinal Change’’ was conceptualised.

    “One of the emerging concepts in this rapidly changing world is the recognition of the human factor as the major and pre-eminent factor in achieving results for organisation, military forces and countries.

    “It is noteworthy that the Navy has evolved in the last 61 years from a constabulary Navy with 11 assorted ships and crafts with about 200 personnel to a full-fledged navy.

    “We are now capable of executing the dimensions of warfare as well as provide auxiliary services.

    “Hence, optimal human resource management and continuous development has been pivotal to the success achieved so far in the implementation of our roles.

    “The ever changing dynamics of maritime operations and security have continued to impose enormous challenges on the Nigerian Navy.

    “It is safe to assume that the current economic situation in the country necessitates prudence in managing material and human resources,” he said.

    The CNS said that part of his key priorities since assuming office was to promote the Navy’s manpower development to achieve optimal professional capacity of personnel.

    He said that the force had commenced accreditation and affiliation of its professional schools to internationally-recognised bodies.

    “Thus, this seminar is aimed at enhancing the navy’s human resources management and administration in line with my Strategic Directives.

    “It is geared towards further enlightening and educating personnel on issues bordering on attitudinal change, administration and work ethics,’’ Ibas said.

    Earlier, Rear Adm. Ifeola Mohammed, the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), in his welcome address, said the Navy under Ibas placed special premium on enhancing capacity development.

    “Human resources form a vital component of any organisation; thus, seminars such as this underscore the importance of developing the capacity of the human resource.

    “The Navy is currently engaged in several security, social and human development activities.

    “These are aimed at ensuring stability, security and economic prosperity of Nigeria, as well as supporting better living condition of the larger society, within which the Navy is a subset,’’ Mohammed said.

    He said that this nation building effort was being pursued rigorously with unwavering vigour under the visionary leadership provided by the Chief of Naval Staff.

  • Normalcy returns to Calabar after Police, Navy clash

    Normalcy returns to Calabar after Police, Navy clash

    Normalcy has returned to Calabar after a gun duel between the Police and the Nigerian Navy in a part of the city on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a police officer was shot and killed by naval personnel, while the police also shot and injured a naval officer on his shoulder during the clash on Tuesday night.

    Also, a section of the Akim Police barracks located along IBB Road was destroyed by the naval men and some cars were equally burnt too.

    Gov. Ben Ayade who addressed newsmen after the State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, urged the citizens to go about their legitimate businesses as normalcy has returned to the affected area.

    According to Ayade, the unfortunate incident was as a result of a misunderstanding between some officers of the police and the Nigerian Navy.

    “I want to assure the citizenry, and indeed Nigerians, that the whole area is calm after the unfortunate incident that arouse from the misunderstanding between the police and the navy.

    “The senior officers were quite proactive by intervening fast to arrest the situation yesterday. We are proud to announce to you that Calabar, and indeed Cross River is totally calm.

    “The unfortunate incident arose from an issue at a traffic light spot, at the stadium, off IBB road.

    “A Police officer was trying to control traffic and that led to the misunderstanding between him and a team of young naval officers”, he explained.

    The governor urged officers and men operating in the state to see themselves as partners in progress at all times.

    Commodore Salihu Jubril, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, said: “We are saddened by yesterday’s incident. However, I am very delighted to tell you that normalcy has returned.

    “The incident only affected a portion of IBB road and not the entire metropolis and we are fully on ground to prevent possible escalation.

    “Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them,” he added.

    Also speaking, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the State Commissioner of Police, said that the clash would not affect the existing relationship between the police and the navy in the state.

    “We are glad to announce to the public that Calabar and the entire state is calm and our status as the safest state remains without a doubt.

    “All the service commanders in the state are one and active partners in progress; particularly on issues of security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry”, he said.

     

  • Desist from illegal activities, Navy urges Niger Delta

    Desist from illegal activities, Navy urges Niger Delta

    The Nigerian Navy has  appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to stay away from piracy, vandalism, kidnapping, oil-related theft and other criminal activities that could tarnish the image of the region.
    The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Formoso in Brass, Bayelsa State, Captain Mayowa Olukoya, spoke during navy’s free medical rhapsody in Odioma community, Brass Local Government Area of the state.
    The free medical mission, which was held in the community as part of activities commemorating the 61st anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, attracted many indigenes who received treatments for various ailments.
    Olukoya said the selection of Odioma, which lies on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean, was strategic, adding that it was one of the gestures adopted by the navy the deepen its relationship with communities.
    He said the Nigerian Navy maintained a house boat in the community to secure and check illegal oil activities in the area.
    Olukoya said: ”Since the mounting of house boat in the community, the cases of sea piracy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping have reduced.
    ”The level of illegal oil bunkering has drastically reduced in this area. It is not only in this area that we are making sure that crude oil theft is being eradicated but in the whole of Niger Delta.”
    He said patients with advanced medical cases would be referred to the Navy Hospital in Warri or the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa and commended the community for giving Navy an enabling environment to operate.
    Speaking at the event, the Youth President of Odioma, Mr. Forcembray Iniegha, commended the Navy for identifying with them.
    He added they were having many health challenges because the only health centre in their community was deserted, saying it looked like a mortuary.
    He said a few members of staff at the health centre were not able to take care of the patients and commending the Navy for rescuing them.
    But a representative of the Bayelsa State Governor, Brass Local Government Area, Mr. Andrew Esau, assured the people that the health centre would soon be upgraded to a cottage hospital.
    “The Nigerian Navy has brought succour to some persons that have been sick in the community.
    because of our affinity with the military organisation. We promise to help the military in its crusade to stop oil theft in this area,” he said.
    Highlights of the medical mission was testing and administering of drugs to patients. Residents were tested and treated for malaria, fever, diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, among others.
  • Ships and Ports Maritime Football Cup: Navy sets up final clash with Customs

    Ships and Ports Maritime Football Cup: Navy sets up final clash with Customs

    The Nigerian Navy football team has set up a final encounter with the Nigeria Customs Service of Lagos in the ongoing Ships and Ports Maritime Football Cup competition in Lagos.

    The Navy sailed to the final after a 2-1 defeat of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Wednesday at the Astro Turf pitch of the National stadium in Lagos.

    On the other hand, Customs edged Josephdarm Port Services 2-0 at the NPA sports ground in Surulere, Lagos o also berth at the final.

    The NPA drew first blood through striker, Taiwo Monsoh in the 19th minute and took command of the game and eventually claimed the first half.

    However, a spirited performance by the Navy team saw them draw level through a loan strike by Musa Mohammed in the 50th minute.

    Dick Precious confounded NPA’s woes when in the 75th minute he scored directly through a corner kick which will arguably stand as the goal of the tournament.

    All efforts for the NPA team to get their all important equaliser were unsuccessful as they became too immature to convert their numerous chances.

    The tournament which began on May 15 had six companies from the maritime industry competing for honours in the annual event which began in 2009.

    Haji Babangida, Captain of the Navy team, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that their hard-fought victory against the NPA was their ultimate target as they hoped to win the championship’s trophy.

    “We are in this championship to win, we will do our best against Customs and hopefully win the trophy which is our utmost desire,’’ Babangida said.

    The Navy was the champions of the maiden edition in 2009 and has yet to repeat such feat.

    Coach Monsuru Adebayo of Customs team in his account said that the competition had brought the best out of his team and nothing would stop them from winning the cup.

    The Customs teams who also are the defending champions of the competition are all times highest winners of the exclusive competition with four championship trophies in its eight years.

    NAN reports that the third place match and the final match come up at the Astro Tuff Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere on May 26.

  • Gunmen kidnap eight sailors in Bayelsa 

    Gunmen kidnap eight sailors in Bayelsa 

    Troops from the Nigerian Navy are making frantic efforts to locate the whereabouts of eight sailors kidnapped in the Atlantic Ocean, close to Brass waters in Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the victims identified as employees of Tethys Nig. Ltd and Sylver Global Ltd were abducted on April 19, about 17 Nautical Miles off Brass terminal.

    The unidentified gunmen were said to have forcefully boarded the vessel after firing gunshots in the air to instill fear in the sailors.

    The victims were identified as Smart Kungborde, Isaiah Ebiewe, Christopher Wisben, Gabriel Enayon, Sylvester Ovwigho, Mathew Enegbuma and Kelly Shaka.

    The abductors were said to have stolen all their victims’ valuables, hounded them into their speedboats and drove them to an unknown place.

    It was, however, gathered that troops of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Fomoso at Egweama in Brass were making some efforts to free the captors.

    Navy authorities in the state kept mute on the matter following an indication that the affected vessel belonged to a powerful politician and retired senior naval officer from the state.

    But the politician with the companies was said to have established contacts with the gunmen and had gone far in negotiation for a ransom to free the abductors.

    A senior security source, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the development and said the victims were still held by the kidnappers.

     

  • Oil theft: Navy releases four boats, 1,555 kegs to NSCDC

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Thursday handed over four wooden boats containing 972 drums and 594 Jerry cans to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The kegs, which were all empty, were said to have been abandoned by suspected vandals on April 17, along Badagry/Benin Republic waterways.

    Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno said the suspects, who were on their way to vandalise pipelines, abandoned the boats and fled upon sighting naval operatives.

    He said: “At about 5:00 p.m. on April 17, naval personnel arrested four boats at sea among Badagry/Benin Republic route in a village called jegeme for alleged involvement in pipeline vandalism.

    “A team from the Navy Forward Operating Base in Badagry first sighted the boat at anchorage poised for illegal act. Assistance was subsequently sought for from BEEROFT to effect arrest.

    “Accordingly, patrol boats were sent from NNS BEECROFT to arrest and tow the boats to the base. However, the owners of the boats escaped on sighting the naval team.

    “As at the time of the arrest, the boats were carrying 972 drums and 594 empty Jerry cans. There were also three pumping machines, three coils of rubber hoses as well as 14 outboard engines onboard the boats.

    “We have cogent intelligence that there are other collaborators that indulge in pipeline vandalism and oil theft. The navy warns pipeline vandals and other criminal elements particularly in our maritime environment to turn a new leaf and pursue legal means of livelihood, otherwise the law will catch up on them.

    “I encourage well- meaning Nigerians to give useful information to the navy on all forms of criminality going on in their area. The navy would continue to hunt economic saboteurs and enemies of the nation.”

    Eno reiterated NNS BEECROFT’s drive to safeguard maritime resource, which is part of the navy’s constitutional roles.

     

  • Naval commander found dead in Lagos home

    Naval commander found dead in Lagos home

    The Fleet Commander of the Western Naval Command, Nigerian Navy, Rear Adm. Teikumo Ikoli, was on Wednesday found dead in his Lagos home.

    Spokesperson for the Western Naval Command, Lt.-Cdr. Chinwe Umar, said in a statement that the cause of Ikoli’s death had not been known, but investigation was going on.

    “In the early hours of Wednesday April 5, 2017, gunshots were heard in the vicinity where Rear Admiral Teikumo Daniel Ikoli resides in Apapa, Lagos.

    “When his room was opened, he was found dead,’’ the naval spokesperson said in the statement.

    He said that the police had been invited for investigation into how the naval chief died, adding that more “updates would be given when the situation is clearer.’’

    Ikoli was Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT and later appointed into the Presidential Committee on the probe of arms deal before he became Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command.