Tag Archives: Navy

Naval officers insist Admiral Ikoli’s death was an assassination, not suicide.

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The late Rear Adm. Daniel Ikoli, the Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command, Lagos, who was found dead at his Apapa residence on April 5, did not kill himself, contrary to some media reports.

According to authoritative sources at the command, Ikoli may have been assassinated as he had no cause to kill himself.

“Ikoli has been penciled down by the President as the next Chief of Naval Staff; he recently earned a special promotion to his present rank from Commodore.

“Ikoli was a disciplined, gentle, straightforward and honest man, who had no regard for protocol. It is nothing but a murder case,’’ a source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

The source also said that because of his performance as the Commander, NNS Beecroft, he was loved by all officers and the junior ones.

He said:“Ikoli transformed the place by introducing smart I.D. cards and increasing special duty allowance from N4, 000 to N12, 000.

“Everybody is aware that he was an introvert, but he made sure that things worked properly and he had respect for all and zero tolerance for corruption.

“He really complimented President Buhari on his anti-corruption war and I think that was why he was appointed to serve on the arms deal probe panel.

“His elevation as the next Chief of Naval Staff would have been announced if not for the president’s trip to London for medical checkup.’’

Another officer, who said he worked with him, also told NAN that the late Ikoli was an easy going man who did not believe in bothering people.

“At the close of work, he usually allows his aides to go home and stay with their families.

“In most cases, he will be the one to open the gate of his residence for visitors using a remote control.

“The officer would not have killed himself; it is pure case of assassination.

“There is a mystery surrounding his death; for instance, the two ambulances they brought to take him to the mortuary refused to move.

“It was when they brought his service car and transferred the body into it that they were able to take his corpse to the morgue,’’ he said.

 

Source: The Guardian

FG Commissions ‘Falcon Eye’ To Tackle Illegalities On Nigerian Waterways.

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The Federal Government has commissioned the operation Falcon Eye, Eastern Regional Control Centre in Cross Rivers state, for an over the horizon maritime surveillance from defection to intervention.

This, according to the government, is in continuation of its fight to reduce the rate of illegalities on Nigeria’s waters.

The Chief Of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, reiterated this objective, while officially commissioning the environment protection infrastructure.

Also present were other security chiefs as well as the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.

In 2016, the Nigerian Navy also embarked on a sea exercise, named ‘Exercise Eagle Eye’, which is aimed at assessing its operational capacity in the fight against internal and external aggression along Nigerian waterways.

Shortly after kick-off, the force recorded some success as it arrested five suspected oil thieves during their regular sea exercise.

They also destroyed four illegal refineries set up at Ijawkiri in Rivers state during the operation.

 

Source: Channels TV

Crude Oil Theft: Navy-EFCC-NNPC And The Web Of Sordid Details – By Ifeanyi Izeze

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In his 2017 budget defense at the House of Representatives, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, while presenting the operational scorecard for his service for 2016 disclosed that the Nigerian Navy confiscated crude oil and diesel worth about N420 billion from oil thieves and illegal refinery operators. According to him, the “specific quantity of crude oil and diesel stood at 810,725 and 1,078 metric tons, respectively.”

Using the OPEC conversion factor for Nigerian crude oil, one metric ton has about 7.420 barrels of crude oil while one metric ton of diesel would give 7.22 barrels. So the declared volume of crude oil seized by the Nigerian Navy in 2016 is about 6,015,579.5 barrels. Also for the diesel, one metric ton is approximately 1130 liters. So 1,078 metric tons would be about 1.23 million liters.

Now, as said by the Chief of Naval Staff, the combined proceeds from the sale of the seized crude oil and diesel are about N420 billion. This is just for 2016 alone where we are meant to believe that this administration through its security apparatuses has drastically curtailed the magnitude of the menace. So from 2015 backward, we will be talking of multiples of 6 N420 billion generated from the sale of recovered stolen oil from Nigeria.

Without a doubt, this disclosure is throwing up again very serious issues of accounting for the proceeds from sales of crude and products recovered from oil thieves and pipeline vandals. There is an obvious aberration in the transactions involving the warehousing and selling of recovered stocks.

First, who actually owns these recovered crude oil? This question is pertinent because most of the stolen crude were supposedly tapped from oil facilities, particularly trunk lines belonging to either a foreign international oil companies or a Nigerian indigenous operator or both. So when these crude oils are recovered, whose produced crude account does it go to?  Does it now belong to the government/NNPC or the Navy, or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)? Are serious efforts actually made to ascribed whatever recovered volumes to the rightful owner – the producer(s)?

Secondly, when the Navy seizes stolen crude oil from oil thieves and pipeline vandals, where does the recovered stock go – to the Navy, NNPC, or EFCC?  Who are the buyers of these seized or rather recovered crude oil – the traditional government certified crude oil marketers, another group of contractors, or the same criminal cartels that also buy from oil thieves that escape the Navy?

If the mind-blowing figures of volumes of crude oil recovered by the Navy have been going to the NNPC, how has it been accounted for – as NNPC productions and from what well/field? These issues need to be explained because severally we have heard of conflicts of interests between the Navy, NNPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on whose responsibility it is to sell off recovered stolen crude oil.

It would be recalled that at the wake of the Salt Pond crude oil theft scandal, the company involved disclosed that it purchased crude oil legally from the Nigerian government’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the authority with primary responsibility for cracking down on financial crimes, as oil theft is classified as one. As said then in a statement issued in Ghana by the chief executive officer of the accused company, Fenix Impex, his company has been one of the official EFCC contractors that help the commission to dispose of (i.e., sell) crude oil consignments seized by the Nigerian military and law enforcement agencies from oil thieves and illegal bunkerers. His words: “The only crude we take from Nigeria…has been seized by the government. We have invoices that we pay to EFCC Nigeria.”

Does the EFCC have offshore or coastal receptor facilities (tank farms/floating storage facilities) where they warehouse recovered crude oil received from the Naval authorities? If yes, where are these facilities located in the entire stretch of the Nigerian coastline?

And if the Navy and the EFCC have no facility to store recovered stolen crude oil from Nigeria, how are the buyers (now the EFCC or Navy or even NNPC contractors) picking up the stock for disposal abroad – onboard naval ships, seized barges/ships/boats/drums in the custody of the Navy? Who ascertains the correct volumes and price before the contractors pick the consignments? We also need to know the actual volumes and dates of the consignment(s) lifted by the contractor(s) on behalf of the federal government (in this instance the EFCC).

Above all, how much has the EFCC, Navy or NNPC generated from the sale of crude oil recovered from oil thieves since this transaction started some years ago? The figure the Chief of Naval Staff dangled at the National Assembly, was it proceeds from sales by the Navy or the EFCC? The monies generated over time from these transactions, where were they lodged? Is the revenue with the anti-graft commission or handed over to the NNPC or transmitted directly to the Single Treasury Account (TSA)? Do we have records of these sales with the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) or even the Federation Account?

The federal government seriously needs to address these issues in its efforts to convince Nigerians and even the international community that this administration is sincere in its fight against corruption in the country, especially as it affects the mismanagement of oil proceeds. We need more a serious and detailed explanation of the involvement, if at all, of the Navy, EFCC or NNPC in the serial sale of confiscated crude recovered from oil thieves in Nigeria. It is not enough to tell us that millions of metric tons of crude oil were intercepted and captured by the Navy and then we end the story there. The illegal bunkering economy bleeding Nigeria as ascertained by various respectable international financial and security agencies is estimated to have an average annual value of about $17 billion. So we need accountability and transparency organizations, particularly the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiatives (NEITI), to actually live up to their mandates and do the needful. God bless Nigeria!!

 

Ifeanyi Izeze writes from Abuja. He can be reached at iizeze@yahoo.com

Police, Navy Laud Amnesty Move By Bakassi Strike Force.

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The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, has expressed his willingness to work with the Bakassi Strike Force.

Mr Inuwa made the assertion following the call by the repentant militants to embrace amnesty once they get the right platform.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, also lauded the move by the group.

He stated that leaving sophisticated arms in the hands of untrained people could be very disastrous.

The Police and Navy bosses made the remarks in separate interviews with Channels Television in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Hasten Amnesty Process

They stressed the need for the Federal and state governments to look into the matter and hasten the amnesty process, in order to disengage the group of the many sophisticated weapons in its possession.

Mr Inuwa and Rear Admiral Oluwole noted that the action was commendable in view of the fact that no unauthorised citizen is backed by law to possess arms and ammunition, stressing that it could be abused while the repercussion could massive.

Following an interaction with the militants, Channels Television broke the news about the group’s call for amnesty in June 2016.

The Bakassi Strike Force, which operates in the creeks surrounding Cross River State and its environs, comprises of young men from Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

Addressing reporters recently in Calabar, the leader of the militants, Simply Benjamin, who is popularly known as G1, again openly expressed their determination to lay off their arms to the government and embrace peace in view of the current happenings in the Niger Delta region.

Top security agencies have described the move as a right step towards the right direction for the region and Nigeria as a whole.

Until amnesty is granted to the militants by the appropriate quarters, the group remains in hiding as no one is privy to their hideouts.

Governor Nyesom Wike Lauds Nigerian Navy’s Professionalism.

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The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has lauded the Nigerian Navy for being professional while performing their duties.

The governor commended the Naval High Command for tracking down Rivers State Fishing Commercial Fishing Trawler, which he said would boost the revenue base of the state.

He made this known when he received the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole and the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore I.N Kayoda.

He said unlike other security agencies, the Nigerian Navy has concentrated on the promotion of security, rather than promotion of political interests.

“The Nigerian Navy has lived above board. They have refused to be dragged into politics. We have had rerun elections in the state, but I have had no reason to complain about the conduct of naval personnel”.

He assured the Naval High Command of the support of his administration in terms of the provision of logistics to fight crime.

The governor said that the gunboats being purchased for the Nigerian Navy by the Rivers State Government will be released to the security agency.

He charged the Nigerian Navy to ensure that the gunboats when delivered, should be used strictly for the protection of Rivers waters.

“We are always willing to support security agencies. Nobody will tolerate crime as it hinders development “.

Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole announced that the Navy has tracked down the fishing Trawler of the Rivers State, and would soon be handed over to the state government.

He also commended the governor for his commitment to Naval Operations, adding that the 120 Housing Units completed by the administration for the NNS Pathfinder would help solve the accommodation challenges of the personnel at the facility.

Rear Admiral James Oluwole noted that the Nigerian Navy would judiciously use the gunboats when delivered by the Rivers State Government.

 

Source: Channels TV

Nigerian Navy seized N420 billion petroleum products in 2016 – Official

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The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said it seized 810,725 metric tonnes of stolen crude in 2016.

It also seized 1,078,104 metric tonnes of illegally-refined diesel and destroyed 181 illegal refineries during the same period.

The Navy put the financial worth of the seized crude oil and diesel at N420.1billion, excluding the value of vessels, boats and vehicles it seized.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, disclosed the figures in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Navy to defend its 2017 budget proposals.

Mr. Ekwe-Ibas, giving further details of the 2016 operations, said that 38 barges and 263 wooden boats were destroyed.

He added that his officials also impounded 53 boats, arrested 784 suspects, confiscated 145 outboard engines and 135 speedboats.

Other seizures and arrests were, 2,97 drums; 4,753 jerry cans; 27 trucks; 47 vehicles; 15 motorcycles; 139 geepee tanks; and 224 surface tanks.

In addition, the navy chief said that 468 arms and 1,659 ammunition were seized.

Mr. Ekwe-Ibas, a vice admiral, told the committee that the service recorded the achievements from an overhead budget of only N2.5 billion.

“The implication of this is that with improved overhead funding, the service will be able to enhance its operational profile, while proactively deterring, interdicting criminality in the nation’s maritime domain,” he said.

Mr. Ekwe-Ibas, stressing on the poor funding of the Navy, cited the case of the N225 billion voted as capital budget in 2016, out of which only N10billion had been released as of January 31.

For 2017, he said, while the initial capital estimates of the service was N317.6 billion, it was asked to review it downward to N26.7billion being the ceiling given by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

He explained that the service proposed to spend N15 billion on fleet renewal this year and another N4.2billion to upgrade infrastructure.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Abdussamad Dasuki, disclosed that inadequate funding of Nigerian Navy had resulted in an annual economic loss of N3 trillion by the country.

Mr. Dasuki noted that from the committee ‘s findings, the country lost about $10 billion annually or N3 trillion due to the poor funding of the service.

“The loss of revenue from the inability of the Navy to carry out its duties is enormous and has been estimated to be over $10 billion or N3 trillion annually.

“There is therefore an urgent need to ensure that budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Navy is realistic and allows it function effectively.

“It is in our national interest to do so,” he said.

 

Source: NAN

Nigerian Navy seaman’s wife allegedly commits suicide by ingesting ‘Sniper’

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The wife of a naval rating has allegedly committed suicide in Igando, a Lagos suburb. The woman, whose identity was said to be unknown at the time of filing this report, allegedly drank sniper, a local insecticide, on Sunday evening after a disagreement with her husband, Seaman Band Omojoye.

 

It was alleged that the couple had an argument after the man discovered that the woman lied to him. She was said to have left the house and told the husband she went to church.

 

Unknown to her, the husband, it was gathered, went to the church without seeing her. He was said to have enquired from other church members, who told him the wife was not seen in church.

 

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Western Naval Command  (WNC) Lieutenant Commander Chinwe Umar said the Rating was in police custody, adding that investigations were ongoing.

 

Spokesperson for the Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) also confirmed the incident.She said: “I don’t have much information on it but I can tell you that investigation is ongoing.”

Chief of Naval Staff flags off ‘Exercise Eagle Eye’ in Warri

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The Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has just flagged off “Exercise Eagle Eye”, in Warri, Delta state.

Represented by Rear Admiral Adeniyi Oshinowo, Chief of Training & Operations on the occasion, the CNS said, “Exercise Eagle Eye will be conducted from the internal waters up to the limit of Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Details later…

Nigerian Navy Sends Troops To Fight Boko Haram

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The Nigerian Military said on Wednesday that it deployed Naval troops to Borno as part of its renewed efforts to end the Boko Haram terrorism in the North-East.

The Theater Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, Lucky Irabor, a Maj. Gen., told journalists in Maiduguri that the troops were inducted into the theater as the maritime component to strengthen its operation.

“The advance party for the maritime component of Operation Lafiya Dole has been inducted into the theater on September 8,” he said.

“They will be deployed at Naval Outpost in Baga and will later operate around the fringes of Nigerian side of the Lake Chad.

“However, they are now temporarily accommodated at the Federal College of Fresh Water and Fishery Technology in Baga, awaiting arrival of the main body and other logistics.

“Currently, they are conducting patrols in conjunction with troops of Multi National Joint Task Force in Baga,” he said.

The commander said the troops of the theater recorded successes in clearing Boko Haram insurgents under its “Operation KARYA GWIWA’’.

“On October 28, our troops commenced clearing operations on two axis to clear and destroy insurgents along Golgore, Doksa, Ajigin and environs.

 “The troops located a terrorist’s camp and on sighting the team, they fled the camp abandoning seven motorcycles, five bicycles, a desert camouflage and a large quantity of drugs.

“All the recovered items were destroyed and during the operations, 37 terrorists were killed while two officers and five soldiers were wounded and a member of the vigilante died, during the offensive operation.

“On October 29, our troops continued their advance and later came under Boko Haram ambush at Ugundiri, where five soldiers sustained gunshot wounds.

“Two anti-aircraft guns were recovered from the terrorists and a gun truck was destroyed,” he said.

Credit: NAN

Nigerian Navy hands over suspected militant’s drug supplier to DSS

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Augustine Effiong, a suspected supplier of drugs and medical adviser to militants, has been handed over by the Nigerian Navy to the officials of the Department of State Services in Calabar.

Effiong, who is said to have dealings with militants running the creeks of Bakassi and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Cross River state, allegedly renders medical services to the militants.

Commodore Obed Ngalabak, commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Victory Calabar, said that the suspect was arrested on the 26th of October, 2016 at Nakande-Idebe area in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.

Ngalabak, who handed over the suspect to the Cross River State director of DSS, said that the handover was in compliance with the directives of the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole.

He said the operation was carried out by the men of Nigerian Navy Special Forces attached to the NNS Victory.

He said, “On the 26th of October 2016, men of the Nigerian Navy arrested one Mr. Augustine Effiong at his shop around Nakanda-Idebe in Bakassi Local Government Area.

“Earlier reports indicated that the suspect owned a pharmacy and worked in collaboration with militants by providing medical services to the injured members of the Bakassi Strike Force and Aston Boys militant groups.

“Upon his arrest, the suspect claimed he was forced by Benjamin Ene, also known as G1, and Victor Ene (G3) to provide drugs and other medical essentials to the groups.

“However, his failure to report the activities of the militants to the appropriate authority shows that he was a willing accomplice and our men had to disguise themselves as patients with a view to arrest him,” he said.

Ngalabak further said that the Navy recently arrested no fewer than 10 suspected militants in the creeks and handed them over to the relevant agencies for further actions.

Nigerian Navy conducts ‘Exercise Sharkbite’ to tighten sea security.

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The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its determination to tighten security around choke points in the maritime environment and the gulf of guinea, with the implementation of ‘Exercise Sharkbite’.

This was made known by the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, during a two-day sea exercise.

According to him, exercise sharkbite was not to inconvenience law abiding seafarers, but to give the assurance that adequate measures are put in place to protect them as well as their properties.

A routine preparation was conducted by naval officers of the eastern naval command on board NNS Okpabana, the flag ship of the command for the sea exercise.

Rear admiral Oluwole, explained that the focus of the exercise is to enhance the preparedness of the command against maritime crime and criminality.

According to him, it is expected to “enhance the capacity of the command in the fight against piracy, sea robbery, hijacking, illegal bunkering and crude oil theft, among other maritime crimes, while implementing the directive of zero tolerance to all forms of maritime illegalities on Nigerian waters”.

The exercise which was conducted by four ships include man overboard, target shooting, anti-piracy and air-sea simulation operations.

At the end of the operation, the FOC gave a summary of what had been done and areas where operational improvement would be made.

In his words: “there some areas we noticed that operational improvements should be made, although they are not critical areas that we should worry about.

“The four ships that participated in the exercise were able to go through simulation operation flawlessly, proving that the navy is ready to undertake real life assignments as the need arises.”

Exercise sharkbite is sequel to an exercise earlier conducted at the Armed Forces Simulation Centre Jaji, Kaduna, between October 10 and October 14, 2016.

Navy Arrests Three Cameroonians, Nigerian Over Oil Theft

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The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has apprehended three Cameroonians and a Nigerian with 66 drums containing 250 litres each of product suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit.

The suspects include Kokah Ekema, 38; Money Francis, 27; Nako Otto, 25; and a Nigerian, Who-Knows Nya, 30 years.

The Commanding Officer of the base, Navy Captain Siyanbade Adedokun, who paraded the suspects before journalists in Ibaka on Tuesday, said one Cotonou wooden boat equipped with two 40 horsepower outboard engines had also been seized from the suspects.

Adedokun stated that all the suspects would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“We have arrested three Cameroonians and one Nigerian with 66 drums of 250 litres of product suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit. All the suspects will be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“The more we patrol, the more we make the maritime environment safe for legitimate business to thrive and at the same time we try to patrol our waterways, basically concerning the strategic nature of the base, just very close to an international water.

“It is a very strategic place to police so that we won’t have people from neighbouring countries coming to perpetrate illegality in the country,” he said.

Adelakun, who frowned at the sabotaging manner exhibited by the criminals regarding the economy, added that the Navy’s standard strategy would not allow them any breathing space.

He, however, attributed the success recorded to frequent patrol of the nation’s waterways and creeks, based on credible information.

The state commandant of the NSCDC, Obiajulu Obiageli, who received the suspects from the Navy, praised the commanding officer for working hard to protect the territorial integrity of the country.

She noted that the trend would also sustain business activities in the maritime sector.

Obiageli, who was represented by the Chief Inspector of the corps, Victor Uweh, assured the Navy that the corps would carry out its statutory mandate by investigating the suspects.

She noted that if the suspects are found culpable, they would face the wrath of the law.

Credit:

http://punchng.com/navy-arrests-three-cameroonians-nigerian-oil-theft/

Nigerian Navy To Set Up University Campus In Akwa Ibom.

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A campus of the proposed Nigerian Navy University may soon be established at Ekparakwa, in Akwa Ibom state.

The Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibbas, dropped the hint during a meeting with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, in Uyo.

Vice Admiral Ibbas says the decision of the state government to offer the Nigerian Navy a place to establish its campus is as a result of the good working relationship with the state in the last 23 years.

He lauded the state administration for giving out the special technical school to the command to establish an institution which would complement the Naval university as a campus.

Vice Admiral Ibbas particularly expressed gratitude to Governor Emmanuel for the various support to aid the naval infrastructure ranging from land at Uta Ewa, Essene and the jetty to aid in their operation and the provision of two gun boats to boost the Naval logistics.

The Naval boss stressed the force’s commitment to ensuring that the waterways were no safe haven for criminals.

“Officers and men have intensified surveillance to guarantee safety of facilities and people in the Territorial waters,” he told the governor.

On his part, Governor Emmanuel said another school would be approved for the establishment of a Navy Secondary School and urged the Navy to protect the shorelines and guarantee security in the area for various business operations such as the petrochemical industries, Deep Seaport and other infrastructures in the territorial waters.

Governor Emmanuel informed the Navy officers of the construction of a dual carriage road at Ibaka to the oil and gas firm at Urue Offong and Udung Uko to ease traffic to the Deep Seaport.

He reiterated the commitment of the state government to partnering with security agencies in the area to ensure safety of lives and property.

Mr Emmanuel also urged the Navy to keep an eye on the waterways to forestall reported cases of terrorism by criminals in some fishing islands.

The Chief of Naval Staff was accompanied by the top officials of the Nigerian Navy in Brass.

Navy arrests 75, impounds three ships, 80 boats in Niger Delta.

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The Nigeria Navy (NNS Delta) has arrested 75 persons suspected to be involved in illegal oil bunkering, militancy, kidnapping, impersonation and gun production in Delta State and other parts of the Niger Delta region.

It uncovered the gun-manufacturing workshop that specialises in producing local pistols and rifles at Opuama in Ughelli South Council. The Navy also impounded three vessels and 80 boats loaded full of stolen crude oil.

They were nabbed in an Operation Delta Safe raid on militants.

The Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Djunve, while parading the suspects and the impounded vessels and boats at the NNS base in Warri yesterday said they were arrested in different parts of the Niger Delta, particularly in Delta State.

He said the arrests were made in compliance with the directive of the Chief of Naval staff, who declared war on illegal oil bunkering, piracy and other criminal activities.

Commodore Djunve said different types of weapons were being fabricated at the workshop and that there was intelligence that they also used their equipment to rupture pipelines to steal petroleum products. A box full of all sorts of equipment used in the illicit act was paraded with the suspects at the Warri naval base.

One of the arrested gun manufacturers, who gave his name as Joseph Oba said he is a loyalist of the Farah Dagogo, a militant leader in Bayelsa State and that he was invited by some persons to join the gang without knowing what he was walking into.

Nigerian Navy seizes 253,000 litres of stolen diesel.

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Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in Port Harcourt on Tuesday impounded 253,000 litres of illegally refined diesel loaded in two vessels and one wooden badge.

Cdr. Raphael Ekuma, the NNS Pathfinder Base Operation Officer, paraded four suspects and the vessels before newsmen in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers.

The two vessels–MV Omiete VI and MV Wood Pecker– and a wooden barge had suspected stolen diesel worth N36.68 million.

Ekuma said the arrest was part of ongoing clampdown on oil theft, piracy and pipeline vandalism in Rivers and its environs.

“In continuation of our clampdown on oil thieves and illegal oil bunkers, troops of NNS Pathfinder impounded two vessels MV Omiete VI, MV Wooden Pecker and a wooden barge with combined 253,000 litres of stolen diesel.

“On Oct. 14, we received information on activities of illegal bunkering activities at Wogono in Okirika LGA and immediately deployed our gunboats to the area.

“Upon arrival, our gunboats discovered that MV Omiete was already loaded with 100,000 litres of diesel and another wooden barge alongside it had 120,000 litres in it.

“Three suspects were arrested in connection with the vessel and barge in the course of the operation,” he said.

Ekuma added that on Monday, troops on patrol seized a vessel, MV Wood Pecker, at Abonema wharf laden with 33,000 litres of illegally refined product believed to be diesel.

He said that crew members on board the vessel on sighting naval patrol team jumped inside the sea and escaped arrest.

“But luck ran out of one of them who is currently in our custody and undergoing interrogation’’ he said.

Ekuma said the four suspects would be handed over to relevant government agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

Also speaking, Commodore Obi Egbuchulam, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, said the Naval headquarters gave directives to end illegal bunkering in the shortest possible time.

He said the clampdown was in line with the directive and assured that the fight would be won.

Egbuchulam called on members of the public to continue to provide information that would lead to the arrest of oil thieves while giving an assurance that their identities would be protected

Again Navy Cracksdown On Oil Thieves, Illegal Refineries

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In line with the resolve to eliminate all forms of economic sabotage, crude oil theft and other criminal activities, operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) have continued the crackdown on criminals within the maritime domain.

 The patrol team deployed by NNS JUBILEE has arrested 13 suspects allegedly involved in illegal bunkering activities around Ibenoarea of Akwa Ibom State.
Commodore Christian Ezekobe, Spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy in a statement said the suspects were arrested in 3 Cotonouboats adding that two of the boats were carrying 55 and 48 drums of suspected illegally refined AGO respectively, while the third Cotonou boat was carrying about 188 empty drums.

 He said the suspects and exhibits have been handed over to officials of NSCDC for necessary action.

 The statement further said the patrol team deployed by FOB ESCRAVOS has also arrested 3 persons suspected to be oil thieves noting that the team also destroyed 6 Cotonou boats carrying suspected stolen crude oil around Sandhill Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ezekobe said the team recovered 2 wooden boats laden with 300 Metric Tones (MT) of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine during the raid.

 “Meanwhile, a patrol team deployed by NNS PATHFINDER has raided Adokiakiri Creek around Okirika axis and Dutch Island at Onnein Rivers State. During the operation, the Team arrested 8 suspects and destroyed 4 speedboats laden with 100 MT of illegally refined AGO.

“Two barges containing 500MT of suspected stolen crude oil were also destroyed by the team.

 “In another raid, the Patrol Team also arrested 3 suspects onboard MV OMETE VI and a large wooden barge laden with about 120MT of illegally refined AGO around FOT Onne in Rivers State” the statement said.

Read More:

http://leadership.ng/news/555090/again-navy-cracksdown-on-oil-thieves-illegal-refineries

Ex-Militants’ Planned Protest: Army, Navy, Police, DSS Takes Over Warri, Effurun.

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The Nigerian Army, Navy, Police and Department of State Services, DSS, have deployed personnel in strategic locations in Warri, Effurun and environs in Delta State, following intelligence report that ex-militants plan to protest the non-payment of their monthly allowances.

 

development, yesterday, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), told Vanguard on phone that there was no need for the protest.

 

He said: “It is true that there are some debts, but the money has come. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, will start payment from today or tomorrow. I have long passed this information to the ex-militants that payment will start soon. I do not know why some of them are still insisting on the protest.”

Navy Anniversary: Sailing Club Holds Diamond Jubilee Boat Race

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The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ette-Ibas has said that the Navy Sailing Club had performed up to expectation by producing athletes that have represented the country in international events.

Etta-Ibas who was represented by Rear Adm. Joe Okojie said this at a championship organized by the club to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Nigeria Navy on Sunday in Lagos.

He noted the Club had contributed immensely to the development of water sports in the country..

According to him, the club was established in 1987 for grassroots development of water sports.

“The future is bright for water sports in the country and I’m amazed with the display of some of the young participants, who are as young as six.

“Products from this club have represented the country meritoriously over the years and I strongly belief the club will not relent.

“The club is also open for civilians who have the talent and zeal for water sports,’’ he said.

Solomon Dalung, Minister for Youths and Sports commended the club for its contribution to sports development.

Dalung, represented by Demola Are, a senior official at the ministry said that development of sports at the grassroots was vital to the growth of sailing.

“Kudos to the naval sailing club for its initiation and support to the growth of sports at the grassroots.

“We assure you that the sport ministry will continue to work hand in hand with the club to discover more talents,” he said.

Credit: Guardian

Navy Declares Fake Captain, Others Accused Of Bribery Wanted

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The Nigerian Navy has declared an impostor who collected bribe from unsuspecting members of the public as a senior naval officer wanted for impersonation.

The Director of Information (DINFO), Commodore Christian Ezekobe, made this clarification on Monday following a report that one “Captain Olugboyega Olubiyi Ayokunle” who claims to be a senior officer of the Nigerian Navy collected the sum of N100,000.00 from Mr Olugbemiga Ayeni as mobilization fee for investigation into alleged fraudulent dealings involving another naval officer, whose name is given as Prince Aderemi, Aderemi’s wife and one Mr Olugbenga Ayeni.

Ezekobe said that in view of the report and a formal complaint forwarded to the Naval Headquarters by Mr Olugbemiga Ayeni on the behavior of the said “Captain Olugboyega Olubiyi Ayokunle”, the Nigerian Navy carried out a thorough investigation on the identity of the names mentioned and discovered that the men who are parading as officers of the Nigerian Navy are impostors.

“To this end, the Nigerian Navy wishes to state categorically that the said Prince Aderemi is not a naval rating as alleged. Also Captain Olugboyega Olubiyi Ayokunle whose photograph is hereby attached to this disclaimer is not a Nigerian Navy officer. The naval uniform insignia worn by the suspect is fake as such not that of the Nigerian Navy,” he stated.

“Therefore he cannot be serving in the Western Naval Command of the Niigerian Navy as alleged in the news report,” he added.

The DINFO declare that the said “Captain OA Olugboyega is a wanted Person by the Nigerian Navy for offences ranging from impersonation and illegal possession of fire arms as shown in the attached pictures”.

To this end, he said, the general public is advised to henceforth desist from dealing with the imposters who claim to be in the Service of the Nigerian Navy, as the Service will not be responsible for their fraudulent activities.

He however, urged that “when and wherever sighted, they should be apprehended and handed over to the nearest Naval or military formation for prompt action”.

Credit: Thisday

Navy Shifts Recruitment Date To Review Strategies

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Nigerian Navy, yesterday said it has shifted its initial date for nationwide recruitment to enable it re-view its strategies for a hitch-free exercise.

This was contained in a press statement issued in Abuja, through its Director of Information, DINFO, Commodore Christian Ezekobe. Recall that in 2014, poor strategies led to the death and injuries of several applicants during the recruitment exercise of another security agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, which attracted so much criticisms and controversies.

However, apparently not ready to allow a similar situation, the Nigerian Navy said it has decided to shift the date to ensure a well-planned and hitch-free recruitment exercise. The aptitude test for applicants of the 2016 Nigerian Navy recruitment exercise was initially scheduled to hold nationwide on Saturday, April 9.

The Navy, however, warned the public to beware that in spite of shift in date to May 14, there was no extension of date for submission of online application forms.

Credit: NationalMirror

Nigerian Navy Seizes Boats Laden With Stolen Diesel

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OPERATIVES of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in Port Harcourt have confiscated two wooden boats used to convey about 100,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen diesel worth N20.4m.

Base Operations Officer of NNS Pathfinder, Cdr. Ugochukwu Ajulu, who disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, stated that three suspects were arrested on board one of the wooden boats seized in Rivers State.

Ajulu said the boats were impounded during a routine patrol of the creeks and waterways by troops in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “On March 31, our troops on routine patrol impounded two wooden boats carrying suspected illegally refined diesel in quantity of about 100,000 litres.

“The first wooden boat transporting about 60 drums fully loaded with suspected stolen diesel was impounded along Bakana waterways with three suspects onboard.

“The second boat which had over 100 drums laden with illegally refined diesel was seized while it anchored at Aiteo jetty near Abonema. About 5,000 litres of diesel was also stored in a compartment on the boat.”

The Base Operations Officer stated that the Navy could not arrest any suspect from the second boat, adding that members of the crew took to their heels on sighting the advancing gunboats.

Ajulu disclosed that investigation was ongoing to find out the source and supply chain of the products, even as he stated that the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and prosecution.

He appealed to the public not to hesitate to provide useful information that would assist the Nigerian Navy to arrest illegal oil bunkerers, sea pirates and vandals.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the suspects identified as Timothy Williamson confessed to the crime and pleaded for forgiveness.

Williamson claimed he was introduced to the illicit business by one woman popularly known as Mama.

He said, “We supply the product to our madam in the city who in turn supplies the product to Peace Oil located at Elechi Beach area of Port Harcourt.

“Please forgive me as I only indulged myself in this business because I have no job and money to feed myself and cater for my family.”

Source – Punchng.com

Navy Goes Tough On Kidnappers, Vandals In Niger Delta

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The Nigerian Navy has launched 25 gunboats to tackle the menace of kidnapping and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral, Ibok Ekwe Abas, said he inaugurated the gunboats in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to support naval operations against kidnapping and other criminalities in the maritime environment.

Abas, who spoke at the Headquarters of the Central Naval Command (CNC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday said active community participation was required to stamp out kidnapping and pipeline vandalism.

Abas spoke shortly after meeting with the senior officials and commanders of the CNC behind closed doors.

He said since kidnappers operate on land, live among people and return to the creeks with their victims, members of the public should furnish security agencies with information about such individuals.

He said: “What we expect from the members of the public is to cooperate with the security services not just the Navy alone by providing information because these guys who kidnap hideaway our brothers and sisters and they stay with us.

“While the Navy is not expected to be on these points at all the time, we expect that we have the cooperation from the members of the public. We have just launched 25 gunboats which will all go to support navy operations and as time goes on more boats are going to be inducted into the various creeks and operations. “

Credit: Nation

Nigerian Navy Arrest Boat With 400 Truckload Of Stolen Crude Oil

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The Nigerian Navy in the Delta state has arrested a self propelled barge loaded with estimated 4000metric tonnes, equivalent of 400 truck load of suspected crude oil in what the Central Naval Command, CNC, described as “a big break in the fight against oil theft” in the Niger Delta.

Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, CNC, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman who briefed the press Friday at the Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Delta in Warri said the boat, MT Camille, was caught November 15 along with 11 man crew in Forcados waters where Shell operates an oil terminal.

Apochi said, “The crew captain is making serious confessional statement, but this is such a big break that we can’t let the details out now so as not to compromise the investigation. We have informed the oil majors operating in the area too.

“No ordinary person can put a 400 trucks capacity crude oil stealing boats on the river. This is a big break. We will get to the bottom of this and get the kingpins, working with other relevant stakeholders.”

The crew members were paraded by the Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed who said they would be handed to relevant agency for further investigation and prosecution.

The crew captain whose name was withheld claimed they were sailing on a voyage from Thelma, Ghanna to Cameroon, adding that  the boat was at the Forcados Rivers for get fuel and food when it was allegedly hijacked by gunmen who deployed them for the oil theft.

Navy Declares War On Oil Thieves

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The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, seems to have declared war on illegal refining sites, following its destruction of illegal bunkering and refining sites in the state almost two weeks ago.

The naval personnel, who had been combing the creeks  to prevent the activities of the illegal bunkerers and refiners, were offered N600,000.

The Commander of the NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Shuwa Mohammed, told reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt that four suspects, who were arrested and would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“Ironically, while setting the refinery ablaze, four out of the fleeing oil thieves came back and offered us a bribe of N600,000 to leave the refinery.

“The four suspects were subsequently arrested and would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and prosecution,” he said.

Read More: thenationonlineng

Oil Thieves Retreat As Navy Smashes 78 Illegal Refineries

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This certainly is not the best of times for operators of illegal refineries in Rivers State as men of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Pathfinder, are already making good their threat of putting them permanently out of business. In fact, in the last two months, 78 illegal refineries have been smashed in various creeks in the State.

According to Commander Shuwa Abdulrahim Mohammed of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder in the state: “The heat is already on oil thieves and those running illegal refineries in the state. The anti-oil theft war is on, no compromise”.

He said his men will not relent until all illegal refiners are flushed out. “We will smoke these oil thieves out of their hideouts. They will have no peace unless they change from this illicit act,” he told
newsmen at the base.

His men have continued to comb all parts of the creeks for oil thieves. Last Saturday while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas was at the Naval Ship Pathfinder, Commander Mohammed’s men were at Oloma community smashing illegal crude oil refineries.

Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Naval Ship Pathfinder, Commander Innocent Chidi Ejiofor, said they go on daily patrol with gunboats on waterways fighting these oil thieves. “The Base regularly deploys gunboats for daily patrols and show of force along Port Harcourt and Bonny Channels as well as within creeks in our area of operations. On August 5, 2015, NNS PATHFINDER deployed two gunboats to Onne axis and Bolo area.

“The Gunboat Team located a large illegal bunkering site along NAFCON Creek, Onne axis. Three active illegal crude oil refineries, three storage tanks, one containing about 10,000 litres and the other two each containing about 5,000 litres of substance suspected to be stolen crude oil and, another three ground storage tanks each containing about 2,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO were discovered at the site and were set ablaze in situ,” he said.

Commander Ejiofor said they also smashed a storage tank farm and drums containing a total of about 700, 000 liters of illegal crude around Cartharwn channel and Bile axis recently.

He said the oil thieves had also started storing stolen crude at underground tank farms, adding that the ones found were also destroyed during the Cartharwn channel operation. Four of those destroyed had about 50,000 AGO.

In Ogbobolo creek, Bolo area of Eleme local government of Rivers State another batch, five illegal refineries, 15 storage tanks bearing about 50,000 illegal crude oil were also destroyed. Also smashed were another 15 tanks containing 750,000 illegally refined AGO.

Rear Admiral Ibas said the Navy was already building capacity to enhance its operations. He said though the Navy cannot reach all the locations where wellheads, pipelines and oil facilities are but this will not limit its effort at tackling the problem.

The Naval Chief said the navy was going to raise the number of choke points on the waterways to see that stolen crude will not be taken out of the country.

He further warned his men to be committed in this renewed effort against crude oil theft, vowing not to spare anyone caught aiding and abetting oil thieves. “I think you may have the records of the efforts put in by the navy last year by reducing crude oil theft drastically from about 1.2 million barrels a day to something close to 250, 000 barrels – that was achieved last year.

“But again the navy is not even in the position to reach some of the locations where the wellheads, pipelines and facilities are being vandalised. But we take responsibility for whatever is missing perhaps through the open seas.

“You have asked what effort the navy is going to put in place. I think we are really finding our strategies, our patrol strategies to ensure that we create more choke points, so that when you steal whatever you have to steal, you cannot have access into the open sea. We will not tolerate that, and the Navy has never tolerated its personnel conniving to wreck the nation. If we get any personnel such a person will be sanction appropriately,” he said.

He said the Navy will continue to destroy vessels and boats caught conveying illegal crude, stressing that this will discourage many from going into the nefarious business. “The navy has a responsibility of stopping the menace. If we do not destroy these things in situ it means you are releasing the boats to be taken back again. So the Navy cannot be held accountable.

“So for now, while noting the impact on the environment, we will continue to do that which will deter them from continuing with their nefarious acts, “ he added.

Read More: http://www.kevindjakporblog.com/2015/08/oil-thieves-retreat-as-navy-smashes-78.html#ixzz3jGdax27z
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Drastic Reduction In Oil Theft In Nigeria Per Month – Nigerian Navy

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The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday said it has achieved a drastic reduction in oil theft in the country from 2.4 million to 300,000 barrels per month by June, 2015.
The Navy’s claim represents a total of 87.5 per cent reduction in the theft of the nation’s oil resources in the maritime domain.
The former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, made the comment while handing over the leadership of the service to his successor, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Jibrin advised his successor, who according to him was in his team, to sustain the tempo of achievements recorded by the Navy by ensuring total elimination of the theft of the nation’s crude oil resources.
He said the Navy’s success was in response to a mandate by former President Goodluck Jonathan to the service to reduce crude oil theft and other forms of criminality in the maritime area
He added, “On my assumption of office on January 20, 2014, the nation was faced with a myriad of security challenges which also affected the maritime environment.
“The then President, Commander-In-Chief, therefore mandated the NN to reduce crude oil theft and other security challenges in our waters.
“With the help of Almighty Allah and commitment of our officers and ratings, we were able to reduce losses from crude oil theft, which used to be 2.4 million barrels per month to about 300,000 barrels in the month of June, 2015.
“I therefore urge the new CNS, who is part of the success team, to sustain the tempo of total elimination of the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.”

The new Chief of Naval Staff,  Ibas, said the Navy would not allow the severe impact of maritime crimes on the nation’s economy to linger.
He added that the source of oil theft and other crimes in the maritime domain would be frontally tackled under him.

Ambode Seeks Navy’s Support To Tackle Robberies

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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says the Nigerian Navy, like other stakeholders, should be part of the efforts to rid the state of crime.

The governor, according to a statement on Tuesday, spoke during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jibrin, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Ambode stated that the call became imperative due to the spate of robbery attacks in Lagos State, which started a week into his administration.

The governor added that the need for the full involvement of the navy in the fight against crime informed his audience with the Chief of Naval Staff. He said, “Lagos State is the commercial hub of the country. The state is therefore strategic and cannot be allowed to become a breeding ground for criminals.”

The governor recalled that some robbers struck at two different banks in the Ikorodu area of the state last Wednesday and carted away undisclosed amount of money before fleeing via the waterways.

“My administration has therefore resolved to evolve strategies that will frontally confront insecurity through collaborative efforts of the government, the private sector and security agencies. The rise in the spate of armed robbery must be stopped,” he added.

In his response, Jibrin, who was flanked by other senior officers of the Nigerian Navy, congratulated the governor on his election and inauguration.

The CNS said Lagos State, being the major operational hub of the Nigerian Navy as a coastal state with vast maritime potential could not be allowed to be a haven for criminals.

He said, “There is the need for combined use of the security forces on air, waters and on the ground for effective control of crimes in the state.”

Read More: punchng

Tompolo’s Alleged Gunboats Belong To NIMASA -Nigerian Navy

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THE Nigerian Navy has said that the seven gunboats alleged to have been bought by an ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, indeed belonged to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

The Chief of Training and Operations of the NN, Rear Admiral Austin Oyagha, at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday said reports that Tompolo had acquired warships was untrue.

He explained that the said gunboats belonged to the NIMASA and that they were being manned by personnel of the Nigerian Navy from the maritime component of the service, in consonance with a pact between the agency and the Navy.

Oyagha said, “I want to state categorically that no individual has acquired gun boats in this country. The gunboats being alluded to actually belong to NIMASA and these boats are currently being manned by personnel of the Nigerian Navy.

“And as you are all aware, Nigerian Navy has collaboration with NIMASA, to which we have a maritime component attached in support of the statutory responsibility in ensuring the safety of our harbour approaches to our anchorage.”

He also dismissed claims that the gunboats had Tompolo written on them, saying no such boat was operating in Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Source – Punch Ng

Libyan Migrants’ Boat En route to Europe Sinks

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float

Libyan navy reports that many migrants have drowned on their way to Europe after their boat sank off Libya.

Navy spokesman Ayub Qassem said 26 people had been rescued after the vessel – which carried 250 – went down near Tajoura, east of Tripoli. He adds that, “there are so many dead bodies floating in the sea” and that most of the migrants were Africans and many were women.