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Tag: Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas

  • Navy, others search for answer to piracy

    As maritime crimes assume transnational and frightening dimensions in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), regional navies and other stakeholders have converged on Lagos to work out how to set aside territorial boundaries for the common good, reports Precious Igbonwelundu.

    This year’s OBANGAME Express was not the first multinational sea exercise in the Gulf of Guinea. It was, in fact, the ninth edition, a brainchild of the United States Naval Forces Africa (US NAVAF) commenced in 2010. But the 2019 edition of the exercise that had 20 African navies and 11 allied nations in attendance was one of many firsts.

    It was indeed, the first time member states agreed to uninterrupted hot pursuit of suspect vessels across territorial space in about 85 mock exercises executed within 12 days. Also, this year’s OBANGAME Express was the first time a fully equipped Regional Maritime Domain Awareness Training School, a counterpart funding initiative between Nigeria and U.S. situated at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, was put to use. Participating navies enacted their scenarios at sea. It was also a first for the deployment of sniffer dogs to the high seas for counter drug trafficking simulations.

    Hosted by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the exercise aimed at assessing and improving the GoG law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security, improve knowledge of African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP), planning and operations, as well as shape security forces’ assistance efforts.

    A multi-phased exercise, which promotes the importance of regional cooperation between all the navies in the GoG, OBANGAME Express, a Fang, Southern Cameroonian word for togetherness, is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information sharing and enhance the collective capabilities of member states to counter illegalities in the maritime domain.

    It also served 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 access Africa Partnership Station (APS) training effects.

    For this year, the Nigerian Navy (NN) deployed eight warships, including two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)- NNS CENTENARY and NNS UNITY; two maritime patrol helicopters to complement a warship each deployed by the US, Togolese and Portuguese navies for the Nigerian phase of the sea exercise.

    At the opening ceremony which held at the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) Victoria Island, Lagos, the need for regional navies to eschew suspicion, allow seamless patrol and uninterrupted hot pursuit of rogue vessels from one country’s territorial to the other was brought to the fore giving the ease with which pirates, sea robbers and other maritime offenders navigated the general area.

    Acknowledging the security challenges plaguing the region, Vice Admiral Ibas told participants at the opening ceremony in Lagos that these multifaceted and evolving threats were leading to deepening conditions inimical to peace and security. Of particular concern, he said, was the realisation that many of the threats posed a great danger to effective exploitation of the maritime environment and increasingly manifest as transnational and cross-border crimes, hence, the need for a united response by regional navies and coastguards.

    “This esteemed assembly is no doubt fully abreast of the gains of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 and the Yaoundé Code of Conduct of 2013, which have facilitated capacity building within a defined architecture for regional maritime security Operations.

    “These instruments have also emplaced standards for inter-regional co-operation based on law enforcement at sea, information sharing and training, further enhancing multilateral collaboration in the GoG.

    “This is the spirit that birthed the OBANGAME EXPRESS as a tool for enhancing the collective capabilities of GoG countries to counter sea-based illicit activities by improving regional cooperation,” said Ibas.

    For Vice Admiral Ibas, one of the gains of collaboration was the agreement by members of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Zone E to allow navies of member state chase suspect vessels into another territory without the usual bureaucratic and diplomatic bottlenecks. The development, he noted, was giving the criminals a hard time which has ultimately led to reducing maritime crime in recent times.

    While participants for the sea exercise sailed safely to the Atlantic Ocean from western waters, heads of navies and coastguards of the region, academics, European and American partners, among others converged on the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island for a three-day Senior Leadership Symposium to seek lasting solution to sea robbery, piracy, crude oil theft, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, human and illicit trafficking of weapons and drugs to name a few.

    At sea, the participating platforms conducted exercises, such as tactical manoeuvring, counter illicit trafficking, search and rescue, anti-piracy, energy security, ship boarding and queries, air operations, communication drills, regional information sharing, anti-illegal fishing, advanced medical training, Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure (VBSS), vertical assault simulations and Gun Exercises (Gunnex).

    “The anti-arms and narcotics smuggling began at exactly 10 am of day-two. The simulation saw the Portuguese ship interrogate NNS Centenary which acted as a suspect vessel. What played out was that the suspect vessel had declared that it was only carrying spare parts, just for the security forces to find drugs (cocaine) onboard, which led to arrest of the captain and five crew members.

    “The second exercise started at exactly 14:35 pm and involved six ships including two vessels from NN, and one respectively from Portugal, Cameroon, Morrocco and U.S. The contingent carried out battle formations before the exercise proper.

    “On day three, the simulation of illegal drugs and fishing happened. After the illegal vessel was arrested, they were interrogated, arrested then handed over to the immigration for further investigation and persecution. Afterwards, a search and rescue operation was carried out during the simulation of a hijacked vessel.  Day four saw the repetition of search and rescue operation. However, helicopter landing and medical evacuation also took place,” narrated a journalist who was onboard NNS CENTENARY for the five-day sea exercise

    Reviewing the exercise at the closing ceremony in Lagos, the U.S. NAVAF described this edition as the most difficult since the commencement of OBANGAME Express.

    The difficulties notwithstanding, US Navy Admiral James Foggo scored this year’s excellent, noting that exercise scenarios were specifically drafted to suit maritime threats in the region.

    He said: “I have served in the headquarters of the African Partnership Station since 2010 and when we started, we did not have maritime operational centres; we did not have the Yaounde Code of Conduct in the maritime domain of the Gulf of Guinea.

    “Now, countries collaborate better than they did in 2010 because of relationships built as a result of OBANGAME Express held every year. We have made incredible progress.

    “This year was even more difficult. We had sniffer dogs for anti-drug trafficking simulations. We had Special Boats Services (SBS) from the Nigerian Navy. For the first time, we had the Maritime Domain Awareness Centre as part of the exercise.

    “We are enthusiastic about successes recorded in the past nine years as we look forward to the 10th year. I give this year’s exercise an A+. “Firstly, we had 33 countries, 2500 participants from navies and coastguards from GoG nations, Europe, Cape Verde and North America all coming to participate in maritime domain security.

    ‘In the last couple of weeks, we have had 85 series of exercises, 95 ships some big as NNS THUNDER and others as small as patrol crafts. We had 12 aircraft participating and providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).

    “We did so many exercises, some started off slow and easy till it got very hard like a vertical assault at sea: that is training with risk. We will take the lessons learnt and implement in the next one.”

    Forggo said he was enthusiastic about success recorded in the past nine years and looked forward to the 10th year.

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    Acknowledging that maritime crimes in the GoG had evolved beyond the scope and capabilities of each nation, Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Ali called for collaborative commitment for a common approach.

    Dan-Ali, who was represented by Director Navy, Patrick Ekawu, said the scourge of various forms of illegalities constituted serious challenges to the development of the countries in the region.

    “One commonality amongst these maritime threats is that they have become transnational and have evolved beyond the scope and capability of one nation to combat. For most of the Gulf of Guinea Navies and Coast Guards therefore, one of the major implications of the emerging security equation is the increasing demand for maritime policing functions. Regrettably, in the past decade, a huge capability gap has emerged amongst Gulf of Guinea Navies and Coast Guards, in the efficient discharge of these roles.

    “The situation increasingly gave rise to the need for greater international collaboration as well as interagency cooperation across various national capabilities and policy levels. It is against this background that Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS has remained relevant in developing the capabilities of the various navies and coast guards in the Gulf of Guinea to combat maritime security challenges within their maritime domain, collaboration with international partners, relevant maritime security agencies and organisations…

    “Permit me to reiterate that the magnitude of most maritime threats and their inter-connectedness, coupled with the fact that they provide such a diversity of impact demand that we keep coming together to fashion collaborative framed responses. I make bold to state that no single Navy or Coast Guard can do it alone. It is therefore hoped that the lessons from this exercise would be developed into collaborative action plans to support strategic-level initiatives to enhance our collective preparedness to meet emerging future maritime challenges in the ever-changing strategic security environment.”

    To Vice Admiral Ibas, the exercise achieved its objectives as it showcased the use and importance of communication among the nations in the respective maritime zones, especially in areas of maritime interdiction operations. “It also created a platform for the NN to practice the operationalisation of the Harmonised Standard Operation Procedures for arrest, detention and prosecution of a criminal vessel in our waters.

    “The exercise of the task elements in anti-piracy, hostage rescue operations and tactical fleet manoeuvres, in particular, is most rewarding. Furthermore, I recognise among the several other highpoints the valuable practice of the Special Forces in VBSS operations, and insertion/extraction of troops, evidence collected from crime scenes in conjunction with the MDAs in furtherance of law enforcement and the staging of mock MEDEVAC.

    “The prospects of greater integration of the established maritime security mechanism covering ECCAS 4 zones (A-D) and ECOWAS zones E, F and G as a structure to support security in the GoG has pleasantly been raised both from the understanding secured from the complimentary Senior Leadership Symposium and in the combined exercise. We can by this achievement, look forward to greatly enhanced mutual support operations at sea.”

    Speaking at a pre-event briefing, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Obed Ngalabak, said about 31 countries, including 20 African nations and 11 allied countries, were participating in the exercise.

    Ngalabak said: “The Obangame Express is aimed at assessing and improving GOG law enforcement capacity, promoting national and regional security, improving knowledge of African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) planning and operations and shaping security force assistance efforts.

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

  • Naval Chief warns personnel against unprofessional conducts

    The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, has warned personnel of the Nigerian Navy against any form of unprofessional conducts while discharging their duties.

    He also charged officers and men of the service to remain loyal to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Admiral Ibas who sounded the warning shortly after the 2nd Quarter Route March of the Nigerian Navy at Mogadishu Military Cantonment, Abuja, said the Nigerian Navy has been a formidable partner in the internal security architecture of the country and therefore expects her personnel to be above board in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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    “To this end, I enjoin you all to exhibit these duties diligently and with utmost professionalism with due regard to human rights violation,” the Naval Boss stated.

    Represented at the Route March by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Bee Ibe Enwo, the Naval Chief maintained that Naval personnel should “not engage in acts of indiscipline or taking the laws into your hands in the line of duty.”

    Admiral Ibas further urged the personnel to remain steadfast and vigilant while carrying out their responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of the country, stating that the personnel should show unflinching support for the nation’s democracy and constituted authority.

    He said the route march was aimed at show casing operational efficiency and combat readiness of personnel of the Navy as such were predicated  on mental and physical  fitness of the armed forces.

    Admiral Ibas assured that the Nigerian Navy would continue to work hand in hand with other security agencies in the country to maintain the peace and security of the country.

     

  • Nigerian Navy, others join forces against pirates, maritime criminals 

    …Deploys 18 ships, three aircrafts for regional sea exercise

     

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) Wednesday joined forces with her counterparts from West, Central African countries, China, France and Portugal in an exercise to rid the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) region of pirates, crude oil thieves, traffickers and other maritime criminals.

    The exercise code named EKU KUGBE and organised by the NN as part of activities to commemorate its 62 anniversary, saw the deployment of 18 ships, two helicopters and a Nigerian Air Force  (NAF) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) across the GOG to operationalise existing maritime security framework.

    Flagging off the exercise, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin said it was critical towards sustaining the resources and huge potentials of the GOG, which are constantly undermined by domestic, cross-border and transnational threats that limit economic development of the region with adverse political consequences.

    He said: “Major threats like piracy and attacks on shipping have become predominant in the region with negative consequences on the economy and overall wellbeing of GOG nations. The situation calls for measures to address it.

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    “I am happy to note that within the limits of available resources, the NN has been focused and proactive in combating the myriads of threats and illegal activities in Nigeria’s maritime domain extending to the GOG. It goes without saying however that, the protection of resources and economic activities in the GOG is a collective responsibility of all nations in the region.

    “As a proactive measure, Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have established maritime security mechanisms. To facilitate the goals of the security mechanism, regional navies would need to operationalise existing maritime security framework.

    “Exercise EKU KUGBE is therefore timely and instructive as it drives home, the importance of regional cooperation in confronting threats to our common interest. It would also foster the spirit of togetherness among regional and friendly navies in the task of restoring order in the GOG.”

    In his welcome address, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said the NN deployed 12 ships and two helicopters, adding that Cameroon, Ghana, Togo, China, France and Portugal each sent one a warship for the exercise.

    “The NAF is also a participant with its MPA. The exercise is aimed at promoting regional cooperation and coordination for the enhancement of maritime security in the GOG, which is rich in both living and non-living resources, including oil and gas and fisheries.

    “It is also the primary conduits of international trade and is central to the economy of the associated regions. The Gulf is increasingly looked upon today as resource provider and critical contributor to national growth and prosperity of the several nations lining its coasts.

    “Indeed, the Gulf is faced with myriad of potent threats in and around its environment. These include maritime terrorism, resource theft and sabotage of their supporting infrastructure. Other notable threats are piracy and armed robbery, which target maritime trade, and therefore the economy of the nations.

    “The use of unregulated movements at sea for seaborne trafficking in humans, narcotics and arms, and the incidents of smuggling are pervasive and remain issues of grave concern. But it is imperative that an environment conducive for the unhindered conduct of shipping, fishing and offshore exploration and other maritime interests that contribute vitally to economic growth and national development is established.

    “The navies, as the primary element of the nations’ maritime power, have the challenging task of safeguarding their respective country’s maritime interests. This demands that they should be adequately positioned to provide round-the-clock protection for sea based critical national assets and also ensure security of the sea-lanes.

    “In this regard, the navies must constantly be sharpening their capabilities as multi-dimensional, operationally-effective and balanced force that are capable of countering the full range of maritime challenges, and fulfilling their military, constabulary, diplomatic and benign roles effectively across the entire spectrum of conflict.

    “It is in keeping with this concept that the NN and indeed all of these contingents conduct frequent reinvention. Lately, a lot of efforts have been committed to strengthening regional maritime security frameworks for the purpose of prosecuting the contemporary and future threats on a collaborative model.

    “This is expected to improve maritime order and governance in this part of the global commons, strengthen confidence of sea fearers and investors, and stimulate economic activities in safe environment.

    “Thus exercise EKU KUGBE is consolidating the advocated regional cooperation, which is increasingly the preferred approach to tackling threat migration across national borders. It is expected that the exercise will reinforce its importance as an initiative at forging a common front against a common threat.

    “It is intended to enhance cooperation beyond and away from mock exercises, as well as continue the nurturing of spirit of togetherness in the task of restoring order in the GoG.”

     

  • 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.”

  • IPOB: Nigerian Navy on full alert – Naval Chief

    IPOB: Nigerian Navy on full alert – Naval Chief

    The Nigerian Navy Saturday said it was on full alert to protect Nigeria’s unity in the face of any form of threat generated by the ethnic tension due to the activities of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas who make the declaration in Abuja said the Nigerian Navy has been fully mobilized to maintain the country’s internal security from the maritime domain.

    Vice Admiral Ibas spoke during the Nigerian Navy 3rd Quarter Route March, at the Mogadishu Cantonment, in Abuja, stating that there was no cause for alarm over any tension as the service was carrying out its constitutional duties to protect the nation from the seas.

    The Naval Boss asserted that Naval Special Operations in the Southern part of the country was combat ready to protect Nigeria from the maritime area, emphasising that all would be done for “our economy to boom and for development to come to the country.”

    Represented at the event by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Ibe Enenwo, the Naval Chief noted that the route march was part of the service efforts at keeping personnel physically and mentally fit to carry out their constitutional duties.

    “Even without tasking, we are fully deployed in internal security situations as required by the constitution and for our own peculiar environment, the maritime environment, ” he said.

    He however maintained that the route march was not a parade to respond to the IPOB agitations or threats, insisting that it was meant to keep personnel fit in their line of engagement.

    He also denied that the exercise was carried out in line with the Defence Headquarters’ directive to military services to tackle IPOB’s threats.

    He said : “This exercise is holding simultaneously in all naval locations all over the country, and it was required now that we as military personnel keep fit because for you to execute the demanding task as I have pointed out; things like security challenges are more now than we have before.

    “We need to have our minds together so that we will be able to react to the situation as they emerge.

    “It is a compulsory exercise unless of course, you are excused as a result of due process, maybe medically challenge or you are out of station.

    “And it may interest you to note that at the end of the exercise, we are going to take what I may call roll-call, parade- state to confirm, that all those who were supposed to be here are here and if they are not here, they will pay for it.

    “First of all, they will be required to do their own and add some extra to it as a penalty. That is the minimum punishment for them, “the Naval Chief stated.

  • Navy, NIMASA sign MoU on service delivery

    The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for effective and efficient service delivery.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said the signing of the MoU had become imperative because of the importance of the nation’s maritime domain.

    Ibas said the first MoU that was signed between the two organisations yielded a remarkable achievement.

    This, he said, necessitated the review of the MoU to continue to work together to protect the nation’s assets from crude oil thieves and other criminals.

    He said the first quarter of 2016 witnessed an unprecedented high rate of crime in the nation’s maritime domain but due to the collaboration of the two organisations, the crime was drastically reduced.

    Ibas said the service needed more support from sister agencies to enable it to carry out its professional responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain and other responsibilities.

    He expressed optimism that intelligence, facility and information sharing would go a long way in assisting the service to carry out its professional responsibilities.

    The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, expressed delight at the signing of the MOU, saying it would avail the two organisations with yet another opportunity to continue to safeguard the nation’s assets.

    Peterside said the major responsibility of NIMASA was to safeguard the maritime domain and rid it of illegal activities and making the environment conducive for legal activities.

    NAN

     

  • Navy plans fresh strategies to counter militancy

    Navy plans fresh strategies to counter militancy

    The Nigerian Navy has formulated fresh strategies to flush out militants from the Niger Delta region and end ongoing attacks on oil installations.

    It was gathered that the strategies when fully implemented would enable the navy through their formations in the region to gather intelligence on planned attacks and stop their execution.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas, and his team of senior officers were in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Monday, to tour formations of the Central Naval Command (CNC) in preparation to roll out the new order.

    Ibas in company with the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), CNC, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba and unit commanders of CNC assessed military hardwares and the readiness of the command to tackle security challenges in its Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

    Ibas spent time to evaluate equipment at the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) SOROH; naval gunboats at the Government House jetty and later received briefs on challenges facing the CNC.

    He further went to the Brass Island where he was conducted round the naval installations at a major command base of the CNC, the Forward Operational Base, FORMOSO.

    Ibas, who paid a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, said the tour was aimed at getting all the formations in the region ready to professionally and effectively key into the strategies of riding the region of criminally and militancy.

    As part of the fresh strategies he said the navy identified all the flash points in the region and was creating mobile stations to stop illegal activities of criminals and militants.

    He said more areas had been identified along the waterways for the establishment of checkpoints and naval security posts.

    He said: “The Navy came into the state about five years ago. I am also aware that the presence of the Navy has changed the maritime security landscape of the state and indeed the Niger Delta area in fighting maritime crime which is of concern to all well-meaning Nigerians.

    “I want to assure you that the Nigerian Navy together with our sister security agencies will do all within our powers to ensure that we create an enabling environment that will allow for legitimate use of maritime space.

    “I wish to use this forum to commend the state for its logistics support to the Navy. We have expanded our bases and units now to create mobile stations which enable us to be closer to the people and to tackle maritime crimes. We are also in the process of creating additional checkpoints to cover flash points in the region.”

    Ibas said he was able to appraise and evaluate the security architecture on ground adding that the Navy had enhanced its operational capacity by acquiring more gunboats that had been allocated to various units.

    He also said that the Navy had been able to put in place, infrastructure to support its operations in various bases and units.

    He said the navy conducted training both locally and abroad to prepare the personnel to be able to man the various equipment in place.

    He said: “We are hoping that when we put all these together, the Navy is going to be more proactive in delivery of services and with the various exercises we are conducting,  we will be able to rid Bayelsa State and the maritime environment of the criminal elements in the region”.

    He commended Dickson, who was represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) for his support to the CNC and congratulated him on his electoral victory at the Supreme Court.

    He disclosed that the governor provided 100 hectares of land for the navy to build a permanent site for NNS SOROH.

    Ibas further said the navy was planning to establish its welfare school in the state to contribute to learning and strengthen military-civilian relationship in the state.

    But the naval chief appealed to the governor and other governors in the region to play their roles in ensuring peace in the Niger Delta region.

    Addressing the governor, he said: “The responsibility lies on those of you in government and security agencies.

    “While we commend you for your support, we are also asking you to appeal to Bayelsans to maintain the peace. Tell your people that development cannot come without security”.

    Responding, Dickson said his government was always determined to rid the state of criminal elements.

    He said his government was anchored on zero tolerance for crime and criminality.

    He said: “For Bayelsa State to be secured,  the waterways must be secured. That does not mean that we will leave the land.  We know that people go to river to harvest for land use.

    “But the area of harvest is where the contest is now and the national establishment that has the responsibility, resources and training to do that for the country is the Navy.

    “So, the Nigerian Navy needs the encouragement from all of us to ensure that the riverside areas and maritime environment are safe.

    “If we continue to collaborate more with sister security services, consistent with availability of logistics to carry out operations,  we are going to have a very peaceful Christmas. Again, even after Christmas,  we are going to sustain operations.”

    He appealed to the Naval authorities to create more of those mobile stations in the state, insisting that Bayelsa is “more riverine than Rivers State and more delta than Delta State”.

    Dickson said that his belief was hinged on the fact that if the security agencies and the relevant authorities continued in the same spirit, the state and the region would be rid of criminals.

  • Militants are enemies of Nigeria, says Naval Chief

    Militants are enemies of Nigeria, says Naval Chief

    •As military deploys gunboats in the creeks

    The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas has described militants attacking oil and other critical infrastructures of government as enemies of state who must be dealt with accordingly.

    He spoke at the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) during an international maritime sea exercise code named OPIA TOHA (togetherness) organised as part of activities to celebrate the Nigerian Navy’s (NN) 60th anniversary.

    It was gathered that the Navy yesterday deployed four gun boats with special forces in the Niger Delta creeks to flush out Niger Delta Avengers and other threats to economic stability.

    The Nation reliably gathered that NNS OKPABANA, a Frigate Class warship was among the vessels tasked to police the troubled region, while small gunboats as well as Special Boat Services (SBS) personnel have been tasked to block all choke points and smoke out the militants.

    Ibas noted the need for more assets for the force to enable it effectively tackle the challenges of the moment.

    Other countries’ navies that participated in the one day sea exercise were France, Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Cote D’ Ivoire and the United Kingdom.

    While the NN deployed five vessels and two helicopters, France, Ghana and Cameroon each deployed a boat for the exercise.

    Fielding questions from reporters, Ibas said the resources the NN deployed in the conduct of the sea exercise was justified by the performance of personnel.

    He said: “The Armed Forces of any nation are trained to fight enemies of the nation. For now, militants are enemies of Nigeria and we will completely eliminate them.

    “We are doing our very best but still require much more from government to enable us do better. We need more assets. We have a vast maritime space to cover.

    “We have the back waters as well where new emerging threats are coming from. Indeed, we need vessels to be able to dominate.”

    Asked what was delaying NNS UNITY the second vessel Nigerian ordered from China, the CNS said the Frigate Class ship would soon be delivered.

    “NNS UNITY will be with us in a short while. The Second Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) is about 98 percent complete. It has already been launched. Once they start the sea and acceptance trials, she should be able to join the service.

    “For NNS ARADU, survey is being conducted. To put ARADU back means deploying resources into the system. But once we get the recommendation of the survey, we will be able to take appropriate actions,” said Ibas.

    Commending the NN for deploying men and material for the regional exercise, Namibia’s naval chief, Rear Admiral Peter Vilho said it was a demonstration of the NN’s might and capabilities.

    Compared to many other third world countries, he said the NN has made major strides. “We used to do a few exercises in our region but we have never had one like this with many vessels and nations participating. The Nigerian Navy has been able to muster so many vessels at sea in this exercise. I am here personally because we were supposed to also bring a vessel for this exercise but it developed technical problem.

    “So, I said we are still going to participate and continue since we already registered our interest for it.

    “We are a bit farther from the GoG region but we believe that things can be tackled before they get worst. That’s why we find out about challenges from other parts of the world in order to prevent them.”

    Giving an assessment of the exercise, the Commander of the Task group and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai said its objectives were met, adding that the joint forces proved that language was not a barrier to effective maritime security.

    “Normally, platforms should be acquired based on threat scenario and the NN’s contemporary threats are in our back waters i.e. militancy, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. So, we must look for proper mix of vessels to fight them. “OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) are one of the good vessels we can use to patrol our offshore installations.

    “Helicopter is a force multiplier, she can be sent out to survey and feed the ship back on its findings so that the right platform can be vectored to go and confront the particular challenge. We are celebrating 60 years of existence, growing from strength to strength,” he said.

    At the sea exercise were the Commandant, NDC, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade; Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola; Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and Sierra Leonean Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gen. Alfred Nelson-Williams (rtd), among others.