Nigerian Navy To Curb Threats, Vows To Protect National Asset

The Nigerian Navy has planned to deal decisively with any group or organization that threatens the territorial integrity of the nation.

The Force has warned that nobody would be allowed to vandalize the nation’s assets under whatever guise.

The chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, disclosed this on Monday when he visited the Nigerian Navy Engineering College in Sapele, Delta.

Recall the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a militant group in the Niger Delta recently called off its ceasefire with the federal government and promised to return to the creeks to destroy the country’s oil installations.

But Ibas said the navy would match any such threat force for force and do not have to wait until an attack occurs before it acts.

He said the statutory obligation of the navy is to protect lives and property as well as secure the nation’s assets in the maritime domain.

Those listed among the groups to be clamped down upon are Avengers, kidnappers, sea robbers and sea pirates.

“We do not wait until a threat comes from a particular group before the navy acts so what we do is to protect lives and property,” he said.

“Any threat is taken seriously especially against the nation’s assets and individuals and the Nigerian Navy will continue to do that to secure the maritime territory of Nigeria as well as bad waters.”

Ibas also revealed the navy had to deploy a “checkpoint regime strategy” to combat maritime crime.

“With the checkpoint management, our presence is all tailored toward reducing those challenges you have out there at the sea,” he said.

“I think the overall assessment is that the Navy’s presence has reduced the incidences of pirates at sea.”