Navy Celebrates Success Against Crude Oil Theft
The Nigerian Navy says its operations in the oil rich region of the Niger Delta through operation "Delta Sanity" has descalated crude oil and thus leads to improvement in the economy of the country.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stated this during the graduation ceremony of participants of the Naval Warfare Course 9 in Calabar on Friday.
While noting that the Navy will not rest on the successes recorded so far, he charged the offivers to be more diligent in their duties and arrest every form of insecurity in the nation's maritime domain.
"We have 52 of our personnel who were trained in August 2024 and have been deployed to various oil platforms to curb crude oil theftm
"I believe that this has contributed to the continuous rise in crude oil production that has been reported in the past few months.
"Our Operation Delta Sanity has led to arrests of many criminals and also created a situation where those criminals find it difficult to conduct their operations and reduce their capacity to have freedom of movement and conduct their activities in our maritime domain.
"May we not also forget that our sister agencies, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Police, as well as other well-meaning stakeholders, have also contributed in this direction," he said
Ogalla said this success has helped to contribute to boosting national revenues, restoring investor confidence, enhancing
transparency in the oil industry, and above all, improve national security and development.
He charged the new graduants to deploy their training to improve the nation's security operations.
"While the Nigerian Navy has made tremendous efforts towards enhancing its capabilities, professional development,
"it is imperative for you graduates to note that a lot is expected from you to be filled as you take up responsibilities of operational level command and leadership.
You must, therefore, bear in mind that sooner or later, you will be confronted with challenges that will test your knowledge and skills that you acquired in this college," he stated.
The Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude said that the training was made possible through the college's strategic partners.
He particularly commended the European Union office in Abuja, University of Calabar (Unical), the Nigeria Army and Airfoce war colleges, Nigeria Defense Academy, as well as the Republic of Cameroon.
"These institutions facilitated some aspects of the college course curriculum and provided credible resource persons who contributed to our capacity development efforts.
"We are also fortunate to harness the depth of experience and knowledge of some senior officers, both serving and retired,
who have shared their invaluable insights and expertise.
"We are indeed grateful for their continued support for the ideals of the college.
"May I also appreciate the Governments of Delta
and River states, as well as the Governments of Cameroon
and Cote d'Ivoire, for their immense support during our study tours and operations visits," he stated.
The course coordinator, Capt. Suleiman Abdullahi said the Naval Warfare course 9 was inaugurated in January with 30 participants drawn from the Nigerian Navy, Sister Services, and the National Defence College.
He listed others to include international participants comprising one commander from Ghana, a lieutenant commander from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and two commanders from Cameroon.
He said that the eight-month rigorous training covered areas such as leadership, maritime security, military strategy, theatre strategy, as well as camping.
To achieve its mandate of qualitative training for the participants, Abdullahi said adequate time was created for interaction, lectures, as well as conduct of tours and exercises.
"Furthermore, the college has established strategic training partnership with the British Navy,
the British military advisory training team, the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at the National Defence College, Nigeria,
and the European Union Office in Nigeria.
"Some of the high points of the Naval Warfare Course 9 include an inter-agency seminar, environmental study talk to Delta states, operations visits to river states, and international study talk to Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire.
"Also, the participants participated in the fifth edition of the joint operations exercise, named Exercise Skylock 2025, held in Abuja, in conjunction with the National Defence College.
"During the conduct of Naval Warfare Course 9, the participants were subjected to written works, oral examinations, and exercises.
Their conduct, attitude, confidence,
presence of mind, as well as leadership qualities and military bearing, were generally assessed and same reflected in their individual reports.
He announced that all the 30 participants successfully completed the three terms of the programme and also successfully defended their individual research projects.
While commending the graduants, Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River reiterated the state's commitment to continually support the Navy as a littoral state.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, the goernor noted that the peace enjoyed by the state in its waterways was principally through the efforts of the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, "intervention of the Navy, particularly in patrolling the waterways, which were previously exploited by kidnappers to ferry their victims to neighboring states and to remote islands.
The Navy's proactive engagements are said to cut off this escape route and restore a sense of safety and confidence among our people.
"We are committed to strengthening our collaboration with the Navy and our security agencies in promoting safety, investment, and development across our coastal communities.
"I wish to inform the Chief of Staff that Cross River state remains a willing and welcoming partner in all efforts to secure our nation.
"We are committed to promoting the excellence in military education.
Congratulations once again to the graduates."
SOURCE: NAN
