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Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Diesel theft: Navy arrest seven suspects

    Diesel theft: Navy arrest seven suspects

    The Nigerian Navy has arrested seven men for allegedly transporting 522 tonnes of diesel believed to be stolen from pipelines, an official said on Wednesday.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, told newsmen in Onne, Rivers, that the suspects were arrested on board a vessel, MV Mac Clint.

    He said that the seizure was part of the ongoing clampdown on illegal refineries, illegal bunkering, sea piracy, robbery and pipeline vandalism in Rivers and its environs.

    “In furtherance of our campaign against all forms of illegalities within Rivers State maritime environment, one of our patrol elements on Nov. 22, intercepted a vessel, MV Mac Clint.

    “The vessel was caught transporting 522 metric tonnes of diesel around Okono oil field without clearance to move the product.

    Read Also: Navy seeks funds to solve accommodation shortage

    “MV Mac Clint, suspected to be involved in illegal bunkering activities, had seven all-male sailors of Nigerian nationality on board.”

    Choji said that NNS Pathfinder would not rest on its oars until it puts criminals operating within Rivers and its environs out of business.

    “We are committed to doing this so that we can encourage and create a conducive environment for lawful social and economic activities to thrive within the state and environs.”

    Choji said the Navy had concluded its preliminary investigation, and that its findings showed that the product was allegedly stolen from an undisclosed location.

    The executive officer handed over the vessel, product and suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation on the matter.

    A senior detective of the EFCC, Aminu Ismaila, said the commission would conduct speedy investigation on the matter.

    According to him, the suspects will be arraigned and if found culpable, would be appropriately dealt with by the laws of the land.

    The Captain of the vessel, Mr William Ajohworode, said he was contracted by an undisclosed company to deliver the petroleum product to FPSO Mistra Limited.

    He said that his employees told him before sailing the vessel that the permit would be handed over to him by Mistra upon delivery of the product.

    “When we got close to our destination, a Navy gun-boat stopped us and demanded for our permit and we couldn’t provide it.

    “We told them that Mistra would send the permit but the security men arrested us,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • Gelegele Seaport: Edo, Navy strengthen ties to deliver project

    Gelegele Seaport: Edo, Navy strengthen ties to deliver project

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that the Nigerian Navy has provided tremendous backing for the actualisation of the Gelegele Seaport project in the state, as its men are providing support to its foreign partners, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), who are currently conducting feasibility study for the project.

    Obaseki also thanked the Navy for its swift response to security challenges, especially in the coastal areas of the state, noting that these gestures have endeared the Navy to the people of the state.

    Governor Obaseki said these in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Navy Retreat 2018, themed “Optimising Operational Availability of NN fleet” held from February 18 to 20, at the Nigerian Naval Engineering College, Ogorode, Sapele, Delta State.

    According to the governor, “We thank the Nigerian Navy for the continuous support we have received from your men, especially the response squad in the Niger Delta. As you are aware, we are working with some foreign investors who will be building a port at the confluence of the Benin and Ovia Rivers. Your men have provided support and security to these investors as they conduct feasibility study of the project.”

    He hailed the Navy for the foresight in organising the retreat, as it affords policymakers a platform to debate and offer solutions to issues and challenges bedevilling the Navy, noting, “I am impressed to find that this retreat is an assemblage of policymakers and other officers to brainstorm on the challenges they face. I must say that the quality of thought has left me bewildered. The Navy is seeking solutions and this kind of reflections is an indication of an organisation that wants to move forward.”

    In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ebok Ibas, expressed appreciation to Governor Obaseki for his unflinching support for the Nigerian Navy, noting that the Navy’s exploits are fueled by the support it enjoys.

    He disclosed that the Nigerian Navy’s improved presence at sea and in backwaters has improved security, forced criminal elements to relocate to other regions of the Gulf of Guinea and safeguarded Nigeria’s territorial waters.

    According to him, “The Nigerian Navy has adopted innovative strategies to optimise the availability of its fleet for operation. This has not only led to improved security but also in the deployment of its deterrence and surveillance abilities.”

  • Navy solicits fund to solve accommodation challenge

    Navy solicits fund to solve accommodation challenge

    The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday appealed for improved budgetary allocation to enable it provide accommodation for personnel within the barrack.

    Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) WEY, Cmd. Patrick Yekwe, stated this while handing over 19 Lieutenant Commanders’ quarters, newly built by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, at Navy Town, Ojo.

    According to Yekwe, the CNS had ensured there was continuous barrack renovation despite scarce resources.

    He noted that the old structures built in the 1980s for personnel had become inhabitable and were being demolished in phases as new ones surfaced.

    Yekwe said Navy Town would require at least 100 transit blocks for senior officers alone and many more permanent quarters to bridge the housing deficit.

    He said: “The navy has accommodation challenge. Here in Navy Town, there are about 5,300 personnel resident here. If you add their spouses and relatives, we have a total population of about 20,000.

    “We admit about 3,000 Ratings yearly into the navy and they need where to stay. If you go to their quarters now, you will see that it is not habitable.

    “Then, remember that we still have officers and ratings staying outside the barrack because of accommodation challenges. So, we need many block of flats here to bridge the gap.

    “We need both transit and permanent accommodations. There are personnel whose families are not stationed in Lagos. When they come here, they are put in transit accommodation.

    “The CNS has been making efforts to provide decent housing for officers and men of the navy. These two blocks of six flats (three-bedroom) and the seven four-bedroom bungalows were recently built from scratch.

    “There are other constructions going on like that in small batches. Aside Lagos area, accommodations are being provided in other naval bases across the country. The navy alone cannot meet its accommodation demands  and that is why the government needs to come in and assist with improved allocation.”

  • Navy hands over 3 suspects, 759 bags of smuggled rice to Customs

    Navy hands over 3 suspects, 759 bags of smuggled rice to Customs

    At least 759 bags of rice smuggled into the country from Cameroon have been seized by tbe Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    The illegally imported bags of rice including the suspects, Yahaya Balaribe, 32, from Borno State; Godwin Owoyemi, 23 and Michael Aderemi, both from Igbokoda area of Ondo State have also been handed over to the  Nigerian Customs Service.

    Briefing reporters yesterday, the Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Captain Yusuf Idris said the suspected smugglers were apprehended at high sea on Tuesday around 3am following a tip-off within the nation’s territorial waters.

    His words, “On January 30, the men of the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, acting on a tip-off, intercepted and seized a large wooden boat loaded with 759 bags of rice. We also arrested three suspected smugglers along with the items.

    “In line with the harmonised standard operating procedures, the Nigerian Navy, today handover the suspects and the items to NCS for investigation and further necessary actions.

    “The Nigerian Navy, FOB, warn the would-be smugglers and other maritime offenders like sea pirates, illegal oil bunkerers and their likes to keep away from Nigeria maritime environment as the current leadership of navy will hunt for them wherever they may be”.

    The commanding officer, assured good and legitimate users of the sea of navy protection and assistance to carry out their legitimate businesses with a view to enhancing the economic prosperity of Nigeria

    He advised the intended smugglers to stay out of Nigeria maritime environment, noting that the present leadership of the Nigeria Navy will hunt them wherever they may be.

    Speaking also, the Comptroller, Eastern Marine Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt, Ajiya Masaya, said the fight against smuggling is a collective responsibility of every Nigerian to protect the country’s industries and also to safeguard the health of Nigerians from consuming toxic foreign goods.

    According to him, smuggling is a sabotage to Nigeria’s economy, adding that any nation that allows smuggling cannot grow its economy. He thanked the navy for collaborating with customs to curtail the continued and spread of smuggling within the Nigeria maritime environment.  

    He said, “Fighting smuggling cannot be left only for Nigeria Customs Service. Everybody has a duty to stop or reduce the menace. Smuggling is a sabotage. It is a fact that any nation that allows smuggling cannot grow.

    “As I said, fighting smugglers is not only for customs; everybody has a role to play. Please, as a member of the community, rice is still a contraband item; 2018 fiscal policy that recognises imported rice as a contraband good, is still in force.

    “I am seriously giving you a note of warning about maritime business. There are so many ways of doing legitimate maritime business, not smuggling. Don’t say we are handicapped, other security agencies, especially the navy, are with us. Any time we ask them for assistance, they respond immediately. Smuggling is dangerous to a country’s survival and prosperity.”

    One of the suspects, Balaribe, said he had been working on the boat since November 2017. He explained that as a worker in the boat, his duty was to upload and deliver the imported goods to their customers wherever they might be.

    “I work on the boat. I have been working in the boat since November 2017. The bags of rice are from Cameroon. I don’t know that imported rice from other countries to Nigeria is a contraband item.

    “We are never told; our work is to convey the goods to their destinations. Our duty is to bring the rice here, the owner of the consignment, that is one Mr. Ade, is supposed to come here and take his delivery for onward distribution to his customers. We have not heard from him since we arrived here,” he said.

  • Navy seizes stolen crude oil off Rivers coast

    Navy seizes stolen crude oil off Rivers coast

    The Nigerian Navy has seized huge quantity of petroleum product suspected to be crude oil off Rivers coast, a senior navy official has revealed.

    Commodore Samson Bura, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, paraded the vessel, MT Marina Express, and its crew members in Onne, Rivers on Tuesday.

    Bura said the vessel and its crew members had been on the Navy’s radar for suspicious behaviour over a period of time.

    “On January 20, at about 00:45 hours, we got information about a suspicious vessel in compromising position at St. Bartholomew River in Onne.

    “On gathering of this intelligence, we immediately deployed our gunboats and thereafter impounded the large vessel, MT Marina Express.

    “The vessel at the time of arrest had two all-male crew members of Nigerian nationality with an unspecified quantity of product suspected to be crude oil,” he said.

    Read also: Navy arrests 22 vessels in onslaught on maritime criminals

    Bura said the vessel had been of interest and that it was for the same reason the crew members allegedly switched off its automatic identification system to hide the illegality.

    “The vessel was then moved to its present position which is at Onne seaport for further processing (of the product).

    “Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the vessel did not have required documentation or approvals for the product or the position (location) it was found.

    “We are going to carry out volumetric analysis to know the exact quantity of the crude oil the vessel was carrying,” he assured.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learned that the vessel was transporting several metric tons of suspected crude oil at the time it was seized.

    Bura said the vessel would be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies in line with the harmonised standard operating procedures for the arrest, detention, and prosecution of vessels.

    The commander said the navy was determined to rid the Niger Delta of sea robbery, piracy, illegal bunkering and oil theft and warned criminals against maritime crimes.

    Nigeria has been grappling with theft of its crude oil for several years which often times is smuggled abroad through the backwaters of the Gulf of Guinea.

    This has deprived the nation of billions of dollars and accounted for pollution of the Niger Delta mangrove despite a special military task force set up to tackle the menace.

    NAN

  • Navy decries low budgetary funding

    Navy decries low budgetary funding

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas yesterday said the Nigerian Navy is grossly underfunded budgets and that this is hampering the effectiveness of its operations.

    Ibas who spoke during the 2017 budget performance/ 2018 budget presentation session by the Abdussamad Dasuki – headed House of Representatives Committee on Navy added that the funding challenge had resulted in the Navy’s inability to meet certain operational milestones.

    He said the low funding pattern had endured for a very long while and needed to be changed in the Navy is to be more effective.

    His words: “It needs be said that the funding challenge is unavoidable under the regime of the Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB).

    “The appropriation which is drastically limited ab-initio by the ZBB, is seem to be further substantially progressively decreasing each year from the budgeted funds to the appropriated amount down to the final releases across both the capital and overhead votes.

    Often in some cases with less than 5 per cent of the budgeted amount only accessed. On account of such poor funding profile, the service is unhealthily deficient in practically all operational key enablers.

    It he Chief of Nabal Staff chronicled some of the areas badly affected saying certain milestones could not be achieved because of lack of funds adding that there had been difficulty in maintaining operational sustenance.

    “Several projections made the current ORBAT require huge outlay for the deployment of the requisite structures, and the absence of robust funding; it has been in impracticable to activate these projections.

    “Notwithstanding that the size of the fleet itself is too lean for the maritime expanse to be covered, its support is already impracticable with the meagre budgetary releases.

    “With the recent fleet expansion   following the induction of about 150 boats and 3 news ships by the close of 2016 and early last year, the logistics outlay has also increase substantially, making it extremely difficult for the Nigerian Navy to sustain its operations. 

    “The funding deficit experienced has also severely constrained the Nigerian Navy in its capacity to deliver the required training infrastructure, which would be necessary to meet the service manpower need in number and quality.’’

    He also noted that inadequate barrack accommodation and other welfare structures were major challenge to Nigerian Navy, even as the moderate growth in strength is unsupported by the very poor rate of accommodation and other welfare item delivery.

    Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, Chairman of the Committee, express the need to fund the Navy properly and decried the consistent dwindling allocation to the Nigerian Navy.

    Dasuki said because of the advancing security threats and scarce resources, it is time to re-evaluate the envelope system of budgeting as it concerns the Nigerian navy to make it more effective.

  • Navy appoints officers for commands, formations

    Navy appoints officers for commands, formations

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Friday announced new appointments and re-appointments of officers for effective and efficient service delivery.

    The Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Navy Capt. Suleman Dahun, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Those appointed, Dahun said, included three new Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs) namely – Rear Adm. Akinjide Akinrinade for the Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta, Rear Adm. Matthew Emuekpere for the Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, Cross River, and Rear Adm. Saleh Usman who took over at the Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

    The acting director added that the appointment also affected 27 other Rear Admirals.

    “These are – Rear Adm. Begroy Ibe-Enwo who is reappointed at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, as the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Adm. Victor Adedipe is appointed Director of Plans at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    “While Rear Adm. Peter Onaji is taking over as the Chief of Naval Safety and Standard at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja and Rear Adm. Dogara Albehu is now the Director of Training at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    “Rear Adm. Micheal Ebe is assigned the Director of Plans, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, while Rear Adm. Aliyu Lawal is taking over as Director Equipment Standardisation and Harmonisation, Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

    “Others are Rear Adm. Uchenna Onyia who is now the Director of Administration at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja and Rear Adm. David Adeniran is reappointed the Commander Naval Drafting, Apapa, Lagos State,” he said.

    As well as Rear Adm.Tanko Dakwat who is now the Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot, Lagos State, Rear Adm. Ahamefule Eluwa was reappointed Moderator at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau.

    NAN

     

  • Navy rescue four Chinese men from kidnappers

    Navy rescue four Chinese men from kidnappers

    The Nigerian Navy in Lagos on Thursday said they rescued four Chinese men from kidnappers around Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sylvanus Abbah, told journalists in Lagos that the four victims were abducted on board a fishing trawler within the Lagos waters on December 14.

    According to him, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT rescued the abducted Chinese nationals from a militant camp in the riverine area of Ondo State.

    He said that after the abduction, the kidnappers took their victims in a speed boat to Igbokoda, Ondo State the same day.

    “Naval operatives attached to Forward Operations Base (FOB) who sighted the kidnappers as they were entering Igbokoda gave them a hot pursuit.

    “The kidnappers opened fire on the naval gunboat.

    “There was a fierce gun battle between the suspects and the naval men and the hoodlums abandoned their boats and fled on foot through the creeks,” he said.

    Abbah said that the naval men went after the suspects who later abandoned the four Chinese men and fled.

    “Presently efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

    “The Chinese sustained bullet wounds during the gun battle and they have been treated and are in stable condition,” he said.

    Read also: Navy uncovers hotel where fuel is siphoned in Lagos

    Meanwhile, the Acting Chinese Consul General in Nigeria, Mr Guan Zhonggi, who paid a thank you visit to the FOC, commended the navy for its prompt intervention.

    He said that the four Chinese men regained their freedom because of the swift action of the naval men.

    NAN

  • Navy deploys 80 boats, 13 ships against militants in Niger Delta

    Navy deploys 80 boats, 13 ships against militants in Niger Delta

    To contain activities of militants and sea pirates in Niger Delta, the Nigerian Navy has deployed 80 boats, 13 ships and two helicopters to the region.

    While the 80 boats were deployed over the weekend to various creeks and back waters to flush out militants and illegal refineries, the capital ships on Tuesday commenced navigation to the high seas for the annual Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS’) sea inspection exercise codenamed “Eagle Eye II.”

    Flagging off the exercise at the Onne Port in Rivers State, the CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, said it was designed to assess the operational readiness of the naval force to conduct maritime policing including anti-piracy and riverine operations.

    He said the exercise was a conscious effort to consolidate on the gains of last year’s programme, adding that the navy incorporated elements from sister services and would collaborate with other security agencies in intelligence sharing.

    Read Also: Navy apprehends recruitment fraudster

     

  • Navy apprehends recruitment fraudster

    Navy apprehends recruitment fraudster

    The Nigerian Navy said on Saturday it has arrested, a suspected recruitment fraudster, Yohanna Ahmadu, for attempting to defraud one Adamu Ibrahim during the last nationwide recruitment exercise.

    The Acting Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Navy Capt. Suleman Dahun, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    Quoting Commodore Gbolahan Olubode–Fazaz, the Commander Naval Unit Abuja, Dahun said the suspect had charged his victim the sum of N50,000 and promised to get him enlisted into the Nigerian Navy.

    The acting director further alleged that the fraudster had directed the victim to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna and promised that his “boss’’ would assist in the exercise.

    He said: “Ahmadu thereafter, collected the victim’s passport photograph, photocopies of his credentials and urine sample for a fake test.

    “The suspect demanded the sum of N50,000 from his victim before releasing a fake Nigerian Navy appointment letter which he will use to report for the training at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne, Port Harcourt.

    “But luck ran out on him when the victim called a Naval personnel complaining of this extortion and was directed to play along by promising to pay the amount upon their return to Abuja, where he was lured to a Diamond Bank branch in Kubwa and arrested,”

    According to Dahun, Ahmadu has been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The acting director warned interested members of the public to be wary of recruitment websites that would always ask for money as recruitment into the service was free of charge.

    NAN