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JTF Vows To Crush Pirates, Kidnappers
The Commander of Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, has vowed to crush kidnappers, sea robbers and criminals in the region.
Atewe gave the warning when the new Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Nyoyoko, paid him a courtesy call at the headquarters of the JTF at Opolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, yesterday.
The commander, told criminals to look for legitimate jobs, wondered why people, especially the youths, who were supposed to engage in legitimate activities, would rather choose to engage in activities that jeopardized the government’s effort in building a crime-free nation.
He also warned all the crime perpetrators to have a rethink or have themselves to blame, beckoning on all stakeholders in the region to join hands to fight criminalities.
On his zero tolerance campaign against oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, the Commander reiterated his commitment towards eradication of oil related crimes.
He told the visiting AOC that the JTF had so far intercepted and arrested many illegal oil bunkering vessels and suspects, stating that the suspects had been handed over to the relevant prosecuting agencies for prosecution.
He also commended the Nigerian Air Force for effective manning of aerial operations of the JTF.
In his remarks, AVM Nyoyoko said he was in the command to seek synergy between the Mobility Command and the JTF and
He commended the officers and men of the JTF for ridding the Niger Delta of illegal oil bunkering which he said would go a long way to encouraging economic boost of the nation.
The AOC said, “This feat by the taskforce will no doubt boost the economy of Nigeria which depends largely on oil exploration for her survival.
“May I assure the JTF of the Nigerian Air Force support in manpower and logistics to enable it to carry out its duties without any hindrance in line with the JTF mandate in the region.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
