The Nigerian Navy has been tasked to ensure sustenance of military action which has drastically led to reduction of crimes especially piracy in the gulf of Guinea.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive on Monday after getting briefings from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Presidential Villa, on the security situation in Nigeria.
Speaking with State House reporters after the meeting with the President, Vice Admiral Ibas disclosed that incidences of crime have reduced drastically.
His words, “On piracy, the assertion about the Gulf of Guinea being the most notorious Water in this part of the world has been taken seriously.
“In the last one year, we have in place a dedicated task force there to address this challenge.
“The good news is that we have been there wherever they are and we have been able to challenge them.
“Incidences have reduced drastically and we intend to continue to dominate these areas. A lot is being done by the Navy to contain the menace of pirates.
“The President said we should continue to do that which will enable our country to prosper.
The CNS who also said there is naval presence at Lake Chad remarked, “It is routine that we brief the Commander-in-Chief from time to time.
“This was a Special brief to update him on the state of security situation in the maritime environment where my operation takes place.
“We are glad that the security situation in the maritime environment has remained favourable to allow legitimate economic activities to take place.
“I also hinted him on the ongoing exercise that the Navy is conducting with other partners within the region and other international partners.
“It is aimed at building capacity and intelligence sharing.
Ibas emphasized that “Nigerian Navy’s new maritime strategy sees our activities going just beyond maritime environment. We have been part of the various joint task forces including the Lafiya Dole.
“The President approved the establishment of an operational base for the Navy in the Lake Chad area basically to help provide security there.
“Lake Chad is a strategic location that provides the transportation means for four nations. The Nigeria Navy’s presence there is to help in consolidating on the security of that area and facilitate economic activities to pick up.
“The presence of the Navy there will help to hasten the development efforts of the community”.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) has received high ratings for successfully rescuing a French warship at the ongoing military exercise, ‘Obangame Express’.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) has received high ratings for successfully rescuing a French warship at the ongoing military exercise, ‘Obangame Express’.
Rear Adm. James Oluwole, the Commander, Task Group 17.1, gave the ratings, Monday, on-board Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Okpabana in the military exercise currently ongoing in the Gulf of Guinea.
The SBS, which is Nigeria’s naval elite fighting force likened to the US Navy SEALs, rescued the French warship which in the exercise, performed the role of a merchant ship hijacked by sea pirates.
Recall that Nigeria, alongside 29 other navies from Africa, Europe, South America and the U.S are participating in the special military exercise.
Oluwole said that SBS participated in search and rescue, search and seizure and anti-drug operations among others within the nation’s territorial waters.
“Following the assumed hijack of French ship, Jacoubet, by sea pirates; SBS was deployed on-board two assault boats as part of training exercise designed to improve troops’ proficiency in rescue operations.
“Our special forces successfully boarded the ship and rescued the situation amidst very difficult manoeuvres which showed that our forces have tremendously improved since our first participation in the exercise in 2010.
“Onboard the French warship; we have officials and trainers from the United States of America who assess and rate performance of our Special Forces.
“The Nigerian Navy has improved with more sea assets which show that we are ready and prepared to execute our own part of maritime security deal in the Gulf of Guinea”.
Oluwole said that French warship coming into the nation’s territorial waters and U.S sponsorship of the exercise showed the importance the fight against sea piracy and oil bunkering had become.
According to him, Nigerian warships are currently stationed alongside offshore rigs and merchant ships 24 hours daily throughout the year.
“This is part of our commitment to ensure that those doing legitimate businesses on our territorial waters are not attacked by sea pirates and robbers.
“This partly explains the declining cases of activities of sea pirates and robbers on our waters while oil theft has reduced drastically leading to the nation’s improved oil and gas output” Oluwole added.
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