Navy’s Anti-Piracy ‘Ops Tsare Teku’ extended by 6 months, more warships deployed; attacks reduced from 36 to 4.

Aftermath of the successes recorded by the Nigerian Navy’s anti-piracy fight with operation ‘Tsare Teku’ leading to foiling several attacks on ocean going vessels by pirates, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas has directed the extension of Tsare Teku by 6 months.

A statement in this regard by the Acting Director of Naval Information, Captain Suleiman Dahun said, “The Nigerian Navy has extended the duration of the ongoing anti-piracy operation, Operation Tsare Teku till January 2018.

“The operation was activated in April 2016 in response to the surge in illegalities in the nation’s water and mandated to contain these illegalities.

“Against this background and the need to sustain the successes achieved so far, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has directed the commencement of the fifth phase of Operation Tsare Teku.

“A total of 6 NN ships, NNS Okpabana, NNS Unity, NNS Nwamba, NNS Obula and NNS Sagbama have been assigned for the operation.

“Some of the objectives of the operation include containing militant activities, sustaining maritime interdiction operations and blockade to deter pirates/robbers and militants.

“Since the commencement of Operation Tsare Teku, there has been a marked reduction in pirate attacks in Nigerian waters.

Continuing Dahun said, “In the first half of 2016, 53 pirate attacks on shipping were recorded with 36 successful.

“However, in the corresponding period in 2017, only 4 successful attacks occurred out of a total of 17 attempted attacks.

“This is attributed to the effectiveness of this dedicated anti-piracy operation and enhanced patrols at sea by Nigerian Navy ships.”

Suleiman Dahun

Navy Captain

Acting Director of Information