The Nigerian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command has shut down 294 illegal refinery installations and seized 27 ships that were stealing crude oil and illegally bunkering their ships.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, the former Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, announced this on Tuesday in Calabar, Cross River State, as he over the reins to Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire.
Dewu said that the arrests took place between the time he took over as the command’s flag officer on February 4, 2022, and when he left on April 11, 2023.
He said that the command successfully monitored its maritime domain and carried out a number of “clearance and swamp buggy operations in the backwaters”, which significantly reduced piracy in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The command, he continued, had participated in a number of separate, joint, and combined drills, including Operation Calm Waters, Operation Tripartite Border Patrol, Operation Tsare Teku, Operation Gba Pada, Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, and Operation Obangame 2023.
“Within the period under review, from February 4, 2022 to date, our sustained operations led to the arrest of 27 vessels engaged in illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and other maritime illegalities.
“Other achievements include deactivation of about 294 illegal refining sites and still counting, destruction and evacuation of illegally refined diesel, kerosine and crude oil and destruction of several pirates as well as kidnappers’ camps.
“It is noteworthy to state that the command also recorded significant achievements in infrastructural development across all the bases and establishments under the command,” he said.
He listed the projects as the remodelling of Eastern Naval Command swimming pool with a lounge, mini mart and restaurant, remodelling of the multi-purpose sports hall and conference room, construction of corner shops, and a gym at 1006 officers’ quarters.
“Furthermore, across the bases and units, the commanders and commanding officers have embarked on a series of projects towards improving the welfare and security of the personnel.
“We remain grateful to God Almighty who made it all possible and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for graciously providing the resources.
“I therefore, implore you all to fully support the incoming Flag Officer Commanding to enable him to surpass these achievements during his time here,” he said.
Rear Admiral Oluwagbire, the new FOC, praised his predecessor for the accomplishments he had made in the command and asked for the officers and men to work with him to succeed.
“I look forward to contributing my quota towards achieving the Chief of the Naval Staff mission of optimising the deployment of the Nigerian Navy in the performance of our constitutional roles and undertaking assigned tasks,” he said.
