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Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Maritime security: Navy takes delivery of new equipment

    The Nigerian Navy on Monday said it had procured new equipment and embarked on fleet overhaul to adequately safeguard the maritime domain.

    Commander Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT Rear Admiral Okon Eyo stated this while inaugurating some projects including renovated blocks of classroom at the NN Primary School, Okokomaiko and some offices at the base’s headquarters in Apapa.

    According to Eyo, the base has undertaken no fewer than 50 projects in one year mostly geared towards improved maritime security and enhancing the welfare of personnel.

    He said: “The base has unfortunately been living in deficit of some of the crucial inputs. For instance, as a key requirement of a complete army, this base in its status as a brigade had no functional band.

    “Its expanse was in the main replete with worn out colonial structures, badly in need of dressing; the waterfront severely restricted by widespread wrecks.

    “Most of the available offices were at states of disrepair and needed urgent rehabilitation. The base’s welfare outlets were also similarly affected and this situation had the potential of negatively affecting the administration of personnel and undermining operation.”

    He charged beneficiaries of the inaugurated projects to use them responsibly, maintain the equipment and derive maxi

  • Indian government seeks closer ties with Nigerian Navy

    The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur, on Monday called for closer working relationship between the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Indian Navy (IN).

    Commodore Suleman Dahun, the NN Spokesman in a statement disclosed that Thakur made the call when he visited the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Headquarters, in Abuja.

    The High Commissioner called for increased collaboration and cooperation between the NN and the IN in the areas of training, hydrography, security in the Gulf of Guinea and in developing platforms such as training ships and landing ship tanks for the NN.

    Thakur said he already had discussions with Minister of Science and Technology and the National Security Adviser (NSA) on the possible areas of cooperation between the Indian government and the Nigerian government.

    The statement also quoted Thakur as saying that “The Indian government will be willing to assist in the areas of combating insurgency and terrorism.”

    He mentioned that the IN would also provide additional training slots for NN as well as providing hydrographic assistance to the NN.

    READ ALSO: Indians laud Indo-Nigerian ties

    Responding, Ibas noted that the IN had always offered great support to the NN in the areas of training and military cooperation.

    On training, Ibas stated that the NN would look at the various training billets of the IN to see areas where the two navies could have exchange programmes.

    Also, the CNS stated that the NN would leverage on the vast experience of the IN Dockyard Goa, as it tries to develop and expand its already existing dockyards.

    The statement disclosed that the India High Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Indian Defence Adviser, Colonel Sachin Dubey.

    It also said that the CNS received the High Commissioner in company of some of his Principal Staff Officers in the Naval Headquarters.

  • National security: retired retiring soldiers to become informants

    As parts of efforts to enhance national security, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi on Thursday trained 256 soon to retire soldiers on community intelligence gathering.

    The two-day seminar, first in the military, is aimed at equipping participants of Course 01 2019 comprising 135 from the Nigerian Navy (NN) and 123 Nigerian AirForce  (NAF) billed for retirement in June, with knowledge and skills to gather useful intelligence in their communities which will be passed to security agencies for action.

    Declaring the training themed “community intelligence gathering: panacea for enhanced national security,” open, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin said it had elevated the status of NAFRC from an entrepreneurship and managerial skills acquisition centre to the pedestal of a research institution where academic discussions, workshops and researches aimed at proffering solutions to teething national security challenges take place.

    Olonisakin said while the retiring personnel are expected to retire into productive civilian life, they are nonetheless expected to still play important roles towards tackling security challenges bedevilling the country.

    “National security challenges require cooperation and synergy of all elements of national power as well as the citizenry to tackle. Our retired military personnel by their training, patriotic zeal and commitment could contribute to the attainment of the desired national security.

    “It is on this premise that I approved the conduct of this seminar for trainees of Course 1/2019. The seminar will expose our trainees to the best practices in national security. It will also refocus attention to the potentials of engaging military retirees as the eyes and ears of the fovernment in their various communities,” he said.

    Olonisakin said the seminar would sensitise participants on certain key indicators and occurrences within the communities they reside which could be detrimental to national security.

    “Therefore, as a patriotic citizen, the onus is on you to inform the authorities to enable them take appropriate action. It is believed that if this new approach in collaborative national security had been emplaced in the past, some of the teething national security challenges we are confronting today could have been nipped in the bud.

    “The theme of the seminar reflects the refocus on the engagement of retired military personnel for an enhanced national security. The attainment of the desired national security is a collaborative effort of the citizens and security agencies. This collaboration starts from the grassroots, neighbourhoods and communities.

    “The communities are at the base of our national security architecture. Security occurrences at the community level are invariably reflected at the national security level,” he said.

    The CDS who also inaugurated remodelled 16 blocks accommodation for officers and soldiers, praised NAFRC Commandant Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abubakar-Sadick Liman and previous heads of the centres for always generating ideas to transform the institution into one of global reckoning.

    In his keynote address, the National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Mungonu said the trainees did not just put in long years of service but exhibited resilience, discipline and dedication to duty.

    He said there was need for credible intelligence gathering to fight crime, adding that crime and criminalities have the propensity of geometric progression, hence the need for retired personnel to volunteer intelligence.

    “Most sophisticated criminal rings, cartels or organized crimes including terrorism such as Boko Haram insurgency were bred and nurtured by the silence of people in the immediate society.

    “Considering that they cannot be everywhere at a time, security operatives in carrying out their onerous tasks, depend on members of the society for information. Upon reintegration into the society and normal civil life, you are in better position to gather, manage and transmit these information to the appropriate government agency. It is expected of you then as Ex Servicemen to be devoid of fear which usually discourages other informants from volunteering their information.

    “Upon retirement, the responsibility of national security still lies on you, but this time on a conscience-based dimension. Your relevance would thenceforth depend largely on your level of patriotism, good judgment and knowledge acquired.”

    The commandant said even at retirement, the personnel were expected to make useful contributions to improving security, adding that the training was to abreast them with basic knowledge on community intelligence gathering.

    He said seminar was borne out of the fact that the country was facing myriad of security challenges that require all hands to be on deck for peace and development to be achieved.

    “It could enhance our national security by augmenting

    the efforts of security agencies in detecting and informing the government of any development that could lead to a breach of

    peace and security in the nation. Such information would enable the Government to nip any ugly security situation in the bud. “This seminar is the first of its kind in the history of NAFRC. It is part of the on-going strategic transformation of the centre to reposition it as a worid class citadel of learning.

    The transformation process of the centre has witnessed tremendous renovation of infrastructural facilities, upgrade, modernisation and re-equipping of workshop equipment.

    “Other aspects of the transformation process include the envisaged change of name, mandate mission and curriculum of NAFRC. Towards this end, new workshops that are relevant to the aspirations of our retiring personnel have been introduced.”

     

  • Dedicated vessels to fight illegal fishing underway, says navy

    Following rising cases of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in the country, plans have been concluded by the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Federal Department of Fisheries for the acquision of dedicated vessels to contain the trend.

    This was disclosed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas during an interview at the ongoing Senior Leadership Symposium in Lagos.

    Ibas who was represented by the Naval Chief of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe-Enwo at the three-day event introduced as part of the 2019 OBANGAME Express said the navy was having closer relationship with the Fisheries Department for a more formidable front.

    Acknowledging the worsening security situation in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), Ibas noted that collaboration between the navy, maritime stakeholders in the country and regional forces were addressing the issues, adding that 30 vessels were arrested last year, an improvement on the 37 and 45 arrests recorded in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

    He said the NN had as of December last year, handed over 247 cases to prosecuting agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of which 51 had been successfully prosecuted.

    “What is even more disturbing is that many of the activities associated with the evolving threat scenario are directed at the economic life line of both littoral and land locked member states. In other words, the scourge of various forms of illegalities, such as sea robbery, piracy, crude oil theft, poaching, human and illicit trafficking of weapons and drugs among others constitute serious challenges to the development of all countries in our region.

    “In prosecuting these threatening factors, the periodic assessment of the efforts is a credible tool. Accordingly, the interrogation of the implementation level of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a major regional framework for maritime security, is unarguably overdue at over six years of existence.

    “As maritime insecurity progressively assumes transnational character, trans-border cooperation increasingly becomes the sine qua non in the mitigation of illicit maritime activities…

    “The NN also engages regularly with stakeholders and has taken measures to enhance law enforcement within the maritime domain. One positive outcome of such consultation is the launch of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons (HSOP AD&P) in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment in January 2017.

    “Further to the launch, the NN constantly engages with the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (HAGF) on modalities for implementation while stakeholders meetings with private maritime logistic support companies and the oil and gas sub-sector are convened periodically.

    “These engagements foster a shared vision on the accomplishment of maritime security tasks leading to the successful prosecution of 51 maritime crime related cases or about 20 percent of the 247 cases which the NN handed over to prosecuting agencies such as EFCC and NSCDC as at December 2018.

    “The NN’s seamless collaboration with related agencies has helped to create effective deterrence to criminals through the arrest and prosecution of various criminals. Within the past three years, over 80 errant vessels have been arrested for various acts of illegality. MT TECNE and MT NIPAL were caught in the act stealing crude oil from the crude oil loading facilities in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

    “Suffice to state that the NN arrested a total of 30 vessels in 2018 for involvement in various forms of illegality in the nation’s maritime domain. This indicates on the face value a downward trend when compared with 37 and 45 arrests recorded in 2016 and 2017 respectively. These arrests have served as deterrence and helped to support a more buoyant national economy. For instance, NNPC data indicate that crude oil losses from pipelines reduced from N51.28 billion in 2015 to N4.17 billion in 2017,” said Ibas.

    On the international front, he acknowledged the contributions of allied nations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and France for their footprints of support which have been eloquent towards encouraging and bolstering domestic and regional collaboration in practical terms and on sustainable basis.

    “The NN therefore can hardly wait to experience its partnership once again with the US Navy during Operation JUNCTION RAIN scheduled for April 2019. Already, about 20 different law enforcement agencies and maritime stakeholders have indicated intention to participate in the operation. As has always been the case, such extensive inter-agency exercise would greatly assist towards the development of organic national capabilities to achieve a sustainable maritime security and enhance the maritime business environment.

    “It is important to note that the improving domestic maritime environment has also benefited from an aggressive NN fleet recapitalisation strategy which has enabled the service to leapfrog from just a few operational capital ships and Riverine Patrol Boats (RPBs) in 2015 to a fleet of over 30 capital ships and 200 RPBs by end of 2018. “Despite these modest acquisitions, more ships with prolonged endurance such as OPVs are needed for the protection of critical assets in the deep offshore areas. Going forward, the NN would leverage such audience to strengthen discussions with international partners regarding a sustainable collaboration towards an enduring means of guaranteeing fleet availability to secure maritime commerce.

    “Apart from the need to improve maritime platforms for law enforcement at sea, there is also the frustrating part of slow criminal justice system. Thus, the inabilities of the GoG navies to fully operationalise the prospects of the Yaoundé Accord to collectively, effectively address the level of insecurity attest to limited multilateral integration among maritime enforcement agencies within the GoG. I should believe that the reversal of this state of affair is the main reason for this symposium,” he said.

    Commending the US Naval Forces Africa (US NAVAF) for hosting the symposium, Ibas said there could not have been a better time for regional partners to talk than while the joint sea exercise was ongoing.

     

     

  • Dedicated vessels to fight illegal fishing underway, says navy

    Following rising cases of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in the country, plans have been concluded by the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Federal Department of Fisheries for the acquisition of dedicated vessels to contain the trend.

    This was disclosed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas during an interview at the ongoing Senior Leadership Symposium in Lagos.

    Ibas, who was represented by the Naval Chief of Policy and Plans Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe-Enwo at the three-day event introduced as part of the 2019 OBANGAME Express, said the navy was having closer relationship with the Fisheries Department for a more formidable front.

    Acknowledging the worsening security situation in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), Ibas noted collaboration between the navy, maritime stakeholders in the country and regional forces were addressing the issues.

    He added that 30 vessels were arrested last year, an improvement on the 37 and 45 arrests recorded in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

    He said the NN had as of last December handed over 247 cases to prosecuting agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of which 51 had been successfully prosecuted.

    “The NN’s seamless collaboration with related agencies has helped to create effective deterrence to criminals through the arrest and prosecution of various criminals.

    “Within the past three years, over 80 errant vessels have been arrested for various acts of illegality. MT TECNE and MT NIPAL were caught in the act stealing crude oil from the crude oil loading facilities in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

    READ ALSO: Nigerian Navy takes delivery of patrol vessels

    “Suffice to state that the NN arrested a total of 30 vessels in 2018 for involvement in various forms of illegality in the nation’s maritime domain.

    “This indicates on the face value a downward trend when compared with 37 and 45 arrests recorded in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

    “These arrests have served as deterrence and helped to support a more buoyant national economy. For instance, NNPC data indicate that crude oil losses from pipelines reduced from N51.28 billion in 2015 to N4.17 billion in 2017,” said Ibas.

    On the international front, he acknowledged the contributions of allied nations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and France for their footprints of support which have been eloquent towards encouraging and bolstering domestic and regional collaboration in practical terms and on sustainable basis.

    Commending the US Naval Forces Africa (US NAVAF) for hosting the symposium, Ibas said there could not have been a better time for regional partners to talk than while the joint sea exercise was ongoing.

  • Nigerian Navy, 30 others for multinational sea exercise 

    To sustain the gains recorded in fighting maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), the Nigerian Navy (NN), her counterparts from 20 African and 11 allied countries have concluded plans for a five-day sea exercise codenamed OBANGAME Express.

    The exercise which has been on since 2010, was initiated by the United States of America (US) Africa Command as part of measures to foster togetherness among African navies.

    This year’s sea exercise will run from March 15 to 20 in the GoG and will witness the deployment of 11 warships and two helicopters, said the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak.

    Briefing reporters on the preparation for the exercise at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island yesterday, Ngalabak said that eight of the ships would be deployed by the NN while US, Portugal and Morrocco will each bring one.

    He said: “This year’s exercise is being hosted by the Nigerian Navy. eight Nigerian Navy Ships including two offshore patrol vessels; NNS Centenary and NNS Unity, two helicopters, one ship each from US, Portugal and Morocco would be participating in Lagos area.

    “The exercise is aimed at assessing and improving GoG law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security, improve knowledge of African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) planning and operations, and shape security force’ assistance efforts.

    “The overall objectives are to excercise each of the participating countries’ capabilities in Maritime Domain Awareness and Maritime Interdiction Operations.

    “Obangame Express is an annual multi-phased exercise sponsored by the US Naval Force Africa (US NAVAF). The first Obangame Express was held in 2010 to promote the importance of regional cooperation between all the navies in the GoG.

    “It is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing and enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter illegalities in the maritime domain.

    “Also to demonstrate and evaluate operational capability to respond to maritime events, prevent and counter maritime threats; demonstrate power projection and the ability to effectively operate as a multinational force under a regional control authority; demonstrate and evaluate maritime operations Centre operability with tactical units and evaluate and acess Africa Partnership Station (APS) training effects.”

    According to Ngalabak, OBANGAME Express 2019 commenced on Monday, March 10 with the in-port training of Special Forces personnel from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon and Benin.

    A statement earlier released by Director Naval Information (DINFO) Commodore Suleiman Dahun said the opening ceremony of the exercise would be on Thursday March 14 before the participating navy ships will cast off.

    “Obangame Express is an annual multinational exercise supported by African, European and US partners. It was designed to improve cooperation and tactical expertise among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security for Gulf of Guinea nations.

    “The Nigerian Navy will be hosting this year‘s exercise and has committed some of its capital ships and helicopters towards the exercise.”

  • Navy begins 2019 recruitment – Official

    The Nigerian Navy says it has commenced the recruitment of interested Nigerians into the service for the year 2019.

    The Navy Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said interested members of the public are requested to apply online at www.joinnigeriannavy.com.

    Dahun said applicants must possess a minimum of 5 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WASCE/SSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB (English and Mathematics inclusive).

    He said applicants should be between the ages of 18 – 22 years or 24 – 26 years for those with ND, NCE, Nursing and Motor Transport Department (MTD) respectively.

    ”Applicants with higher qualifications other than those specified in the guidelines should not apply.

    ”Furthermore, applicants must be single and of Nigerian origin by birth. The required height is 1.7m for males and 1.67m for females,” he said.

    He advised applicants not to give any form of gratification to any person or groups to assist them in the recruitment.

    ”Importantly, applicants are advised in their own interest not to give any form of gratification or inducement to any person or group of persons to assist them in the recruitment exercise.

    ”Any applicant who falsifies or forges his/her documents and is discovered at any time will be handed over to the police for prosecution,” the spokesman warned.

    NAN

  • Navy gets new spokesman

    The Nigerian Navy has appointed a new spokesperson to head its information and public relations directorate. He is Navy Commodore Suleman Dahun.

    A statement signed by the Chief of Plans, Navy Headquarters, Abuja, Rear Admiral O B Daji, noted that Commodore Dahun had served as Acting Director of the Directorate before he proceeded on Course at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

    He replaced Navy Commodore Ayo Olugbode.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Navy has appointed a new Director of Information. He is Commodore Suleman Dahun mni. Commodore Dahun attended the University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication. He also attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria graduating with a Masters Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

    ” He has attended several military and professional courses both within and outside Nigeria. Some of these include Junior and Senior Staff courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Commodore Dahun was a member of the Senior Executive Course 40 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos.

    Read Also: Customs records 4,010 seizures in 11 months

    “The senior officer also attended the Deputy Spokesman’s Course at the Joint Information Activities Group (JIAG), Royal Airforce Base, Halton, United Kingdom (2016), the Journalist Protection in Conflict Zones Course at the Hellenic Multi-National PSOs Training Centre, Kilkis, Greece (2016) and the Joint Information Operations Course at JIAG, RAF, Halton (2017). Suleman is an Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

    “Amongst his previous appointments, Commodore Suleman Dahun has served in all the operations commands of the Nigerian Navy and was one-time Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters”.

  • Navy shuts 146 illegal refineries, seizes 23,000 bags of rice

    The Nigerian Navy has shut down 146 illegal refineries and seized 23,000 bags of 50kg imported rice as well as other contrabands smuggled by hoodlums within the territory of the Eastern Naval Command.

    Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Adeniran disclosed this during his address marking the end year divisions at the Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee (NNS), Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom state.

    Chronicling the achievements of the command for the year, the FOC said

    the ENC had taken concrete steps aimed at securing the maritime space within its territory from all manner of criminal activities.

    “To a great extent, we have successfully deployed ships and boats to tackle maritime crime such as illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and smuggling amongst others.

    “It is gratifying to state the Command cumulatively patrolled a total of about 135 thousand hours.

    “Our relentless patrols have led to arrest of suspects, seizures of
    materials, destruction of illegal facilities.

    “These have discouraged illegal activities within Eastern Naval Command Areas of Responsibility. The Command through its efforts has been able to shut down more than 146 illegal refineries.

    Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ekwe Ibas added the command also caused some militant groups within the territory to surrender arms and embrace peace.

    On staff welfare, the FOC said, “The Command has improved personnel welfare and physical security measures within the Command Headquarters, bases, barracks and schools with the expansion of accommodation facilities and providing conducive learning environment for our beloved children.

    “The recent stone laying for 300 bed accommodation for students in Nigerian Navy Secondary School Port Harcourt, commissioning of the remodeled Naval Medical Centre and the expanded 9 to 18 holes Sea Lord Golf Course in NNS PATHFINDER by CNS were some of the efforts made to provide quality education, health, and sporting facilities in the Command.”

     

  • Navy seizes contraband rice worth N247.9m in Calabar 

    The Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar, Cross River State, says it has seized 15, 162 bags of foreign parboiled rice worth N247, 905, 000 since February this year.

    Commander NNS Victory, Commodore Julius Nwagu, who disclosed this while handing over 719 bags of the contraband rice and six suspects to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Victory jetty in Calabar, said they were arrested in a large wooden boat, around the Oron-Ibaka waterfront.

    He said the 719 bags were valued at N16.5 million at N16, 000 per bag street rice.

    Read Also: We are not abetting rice smugglers- FRSC

    “What is important is the fight the Nigerian Navy has instituted in ensuring that the policy of the Federal Government that local farming and production of rice should be sustained. And in doing that in accordance with our policing roles, we have intensified patrols on our waters to ensure that the FG policy stands. And we are not relenting.

    “We have even gone a stage further now to writing individuals that these suspects mention. Talking about the main owners of the rice. We have written to them inviting them for an interview if they fail to appear, we are going to declare them wanted. That is the extent we are going to carry out this drive in ensuring that FG policies are not just swept under the carpet.

    “As a responsible service, the Nigerian Navy is putting in a lot in ensuring that our maritime domain capability and maritime corridors and well protected and people go about their legitimate businesses. Those who want to get themselves involved in illegality we would make sure we clip their wings,” Nwagu said.