News
‘We’re Scaling Up Capabilities, Building Synergy To Curb Oil Theft’
Africa’s foremost maritime surveillance, defence and management agency, the Nigerian Navy has said that it would sustain its interagency collaboration and upscale of its combat capabilities in furtherance of its determination to curb oil theft and other criminal activities within the nation’s maritime space.
Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny in Rivers State, Capt. Muhammad Abu said this during the handing over of an arrested vessel, MV AUTRY to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), last Wednesday, in Bonny.
Representatives of the EFCC led by a Deputy Superintendent of EFCC (DSE), Chioma Blessing Emereole, received the vessel at the brief event.
Abu explained that MV AUTRY was arrested by the FOB Bonny in line with Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) effort on January 10, 2022 along the Bonny Channel with eight crew members, all Nigeriansonboard.
According to him, upon arrest, the vessel was discovered not to have relevant certifications from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to operate in Nigerian waters, thus, the vessel was arrested and handed over to EFCC for further investigation and appropriate sanctions.
“In line with our patrol efforts in FOB Bonny, we normally interrogate the Anchorage by interrogating vessels outbound and inbound the Bonny Channel and on the 10th of January, 2022, in line with our Maritime Law Enforcement efforts as well, we interrogated her and found out that she was carrying 125,587litres of Automatic Gas Oil (AGO).
“Also, when we check our safety papers that’s the NIMASA documents and found out that they were not having appropriate naval headquarters’ approvals.”
The NN FOB CO stressed that the Nigerian Navy was adopting proactive measures to assert maritime dominance awareness capabilities, noting that these measures were already yielding positive results.
“Yes, like you are aware there are lots of operations running concurrently, Operation ‘Dakatar da Barawo’ to curb crude oil theft, and itsongoing; these are proactive measures that the Navy is taking as well.
“We have our maritime dominance awareness capabilities. These are sensors that can sense all these things right from our naval headquarters; so, we can be alerted from the naval headquarters to go and investigate vessels of interest like this, which we have equally done in the past.
“So, all of these measures put in place will help to checkmate issues like this so that we will not be reactive. But I can tell you that though issue of insecurity you cannot eliminate it completely you can only reduce it to its barest minimum and this is what we are achieving gradually.”
Upon taking over MV AUTRY, the EFCC representatives marked the vessel, collected samples of the product onboard, and obtained written statements from the crew to aid further investigations.
In her remarks, DSE Chioma Blessing Emereolesaid that having taken over the vessel under consideration, the EFCC would commence full investigation into the alleged infractions committed by the said vessel, adding that the commission would also interface with other relevant agencies in the course of its due diligence on the vessel.
“Well, having taking over this vessel, MV AUTRY, we will commence investigation; sample products will be taken for analysis and then some relevant agencies will be written to, to find out if they are approved to ply Nigerian water channels.”
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) has sustained its surveillance of the Bonny Channel wherein it has ensured that maritime infractions by both Nigerian owned and foreign vessels are checked, perpetrators apprehended and interfacing with relevant sister security agencies for prosecution of apprehended vessels and crime suspects.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Oil & Energy3 hours agoIncreased Oil and Gas: Stakeholders Urge Expansion Of PINL Scope
-
News3 hours agoFG denies claims of systematic genocide against Christians
-
News3 hours agoUN Honours Ogbakor Ikwerre President General
-
Niger Delta3 hours agoOtu Reiterates Commitment To Restor State’s Civil Service
-
News3 hours agoStakeholders Tasks Fubara on recognition of Nwoga As Nzeobi of Egbema kingdom ….laud Tinubu for lifting Emergency in the state
-
Sports3 hours agoPalace End Liverpool’s Invincibility
-
Oil & Energy3 hours agoReps C’mitee Moves To Resolve Dangote, NUPENG Dispute
-
News3 hours agoChina sentences former Agric minister to death