Category: Military

In a resolute demonstration of their commitment to protecting national interests and critical infrastructure, the Nigerian Navy’s NNS BEECROFT patrol team, in conjunction with the Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE, led by Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, has once again shown unwavering dedication in the battle against pipeline vandalism, utilizing technology and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) for operational efficiency.

This innovative approach has yielded significant results, substantially enhancing the team’s capacity to identify and prevent criminal activities along the NNPCL pipeline.

On November 1, 2023, at approximately 11:45 am, between ATLAS COVE and Ijegun in Lagos State, the NNS BEECROFT patrol team promptly responded to credible HUMINT, leading to the discovery of two compromised points along the NNPCL pipeline. These points were being exploited by saboteurs to connect hoses and pumping equipment, with the intent to siphon large quantities of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) transported through the pipeline. This nefarious activity posed a significant threat to the availability of petroleum products and the economic well-being of the Nigerian populace.

The swift and commendable action by the Naval team not only protected national infrastructure and petroleum product availability but also averted the potential outbreak of a catastrophic fire, with its devastating consequences for lives and property.

In response to the discovery of these punctured points, the NNPCL has been alerted, and immediate repairs are underway to mitigate losses.

Simultaneously, efforts are ongoing to identify and address other potential vulnerabilities along the pipeline, ensuring a comprehensive strategy to deter future illicit activities.

This discovery highlights the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Navy, led by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and promoting economic prosperity for the nation.

The Nigerian Navy takes pride in its leadership role in combating pipeline vandalism, contributing to a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

The Nigerian Navy, through the vigilant patrol team of NNS BEECROFT, successfully intercepted a large wooden boat on the night of October 25, 2023, within the Lagos anchorage area. This operation, initiated with the assistance of the Falcone Eye Alignment, a state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, has effectively thwarted illegal bunkering activities that posed a significant threat to the nation’s resources.

The intercepted wooden boat was carrying eight crew members, over 300 drums, pumping machines, and other equipment that could have been used for the illegal siphoning of petroleum products. This decisive action by the patrol team prevented the illegal handling of these products by potential saboteurs, averting a disaster and safeguarding valuable resources intended for consumption by Nigerians.

The Nigerian Navy’s prompt and proactive response to halt these economic saboteurs is a testament to its unwavering commitment to safeguarding vital resources and ensuring the safety of lives and property within the maritime domain. This commitment reflects the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff.

Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore KO Oguntuga who was represented by his deputy Captain Christian Akokota emphasized the importance of handing over the suspected economic saboteurs to the appropriate agency for investigation and prosecution.

This action sends a strong message that the Nigerian Navy is determined to ensure the full weight of the law is applied to perpetrators of maritime crimes. This is crucial for sustaining the nation’s economic prosperity.

The arrested individuals, identified as Mr. Selafei Tito, Mr. Seba Hunton, Mr. Etieni Abibu, Mr. Ahousansou Lawlent, Mr. Oke Job, Mr. Abel Yede, Mr. Matiye Husa, and Mr. Husa Hungha, will undergo thorough interrogation to reveal their motives and uncover the identities of any potential sponsors during the investigation process.

The suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), where further investigations will be carried out, and necessary legal actions will be taken.

This collaborative effort among security agencies demonstrates a united front against maritime crimes, ensuring the continued protection of Nigeria’s maritime resources and economic stability.

In a remarkable display of goodwill and commitment to fostering civil-military relations, the Nigerian Navy, led by Commodore Mohammed Danhiru, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Wey, conducted a medical outreach in the Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos on October 26, 2023.

The outreach event, which showcased the Navy’s dedication to its host community, was graced by various local authorities, and it aimed to enhance the well-being of the residents, promote cooperation, and contribute to environmental beautification.

Commodore Mohammed Danhiru, during the event, conveyed the appreciation of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, to the peaceful community that has harmoniously coexisted with the Nigerian Navy Ship Wey and Navy Town.

He noted that the initiative was in line with the directives contained in the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive for 2023, which encouraged units like NNS Wey to conduct civil-military activities in host communities as a token of gratitude for their continuous support and peaceful coexistence.

The outreach encompassed a range of activities designed to benefit the community. Medical personnel were present to conduct pre-medical checks and provide essential treatments.

In addition, the Nigerian Navy donated drugs, mosquito nets, and chairs to expectant mothers attending ante-natal clinics. Environmental concerns were also addressed, as Navy personnel volunteered to clear the local drainages, thereby contributing to the mitigation of climate change effects and enhancing the environment’s aesthetics.

Commodore Danhiru, in his address, highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to the welfare of the community and revealed that the outreach in Oriade LCDA marked the beginning of similar endeavors that would extend to other communities within their jurisdiction.

He expressed gratitude to the local government and traditional rulers for their support and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of community members.

In his words: “Today, we thought it wise to come here and conduct medical rhapsody to do pre-medical checks, donate drugs, mosquito nets and donate chairs to our pregnant women that come for ante-natal. We have also come here with our personnel to clear the drainages around. All these are aimed towards enhancing the well being of members of the community and also to mitigate the effects of climate change, to beautify and to clean the environment.

“For us the Nigerian Navy Ship Wey, we administer 10 barracks areas and this is the beginning.  We’re going to touch all other communities. I want to seize this opportunity to thank Oriade local government and the leadership of the local council and other local governments as well as the traditional rulers here for coming out. I want to thank the members of the community for coming out en-mass to participate in this programme. I also appreciate our commander Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital and his team for supporting us with this outreach” he concluded.

In a show of unity and appreciation, the Executive Chairman of Oriade LCDA, Hon. Romotalai Akinola Hassan expressed the council’s delight in receiving the Nigerian Navy’s medical outreach team and acknowledged the strong and cordial relationship that had developed between the community and the Navy.

Hon Akinola who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, Mr. Rasaq Akorede Olojede, encouraged residents to make the most of the primary healthcare program offered by the Nigerian Navy, underscoring the enduring support of the local council.

“Holding here today is another landmark event of this medical outreach which has been enjoyed by other armed forces. We want to on behalf of our Executive Chairman urge all our residents around here today to seize this opportunity to benefit from this primary health care program that we are being accorded by the Nigerian Navy and we want to say emphatically that we have been enjoying a very cordial relationship in the area of security and protection of lives of property from this office of the Nigerian Navy and we wish to assure them our regular support at all time when the need arise.

“Once again I want to enjoin the community to take their time and enjoy the benefit of these Health Care activities and I assure you that everything will go as smoothly” Akinola noted.

On his part, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Defence Hospital in Ojo, Surgeon Captain Ikechukwu Chukwuka emphasized the healthcare services provided during the outreach.

He said some patients will receive immediate treatment, while those with chronic conditions will be referred to appropriate hospitals for further care.

Surgeon Captain Ikechukwu Chukwuka also informed that surgical cases would also be considered, with advanced diagnostic tools and machines available to assess patients more comprehensively.

”Some of the people may require treatments so we treat them on the spot. Some that have chronic cases like Hypertension cannot be treated once. We may need further review. So we can refer you to the nearest hospital, of which Nigeria Reference Hospital is near enough or any other Hospital as the case may be for further review.

“We may also pick specific one or two surgical cases that we may tackle, that is if a definite diagnosis is made or if there is a need for further review. We have our machines like MRI and other diagnostic tools that we use to further evaluate patients. So in such cases we may invite them to the hospital” Chukwuka said.

The medical outreach in Oriade LCDA was a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to community welfare and its dedication to building and strengthening civil-military relations. It not only showcased the Navy’s goodwill but also illustrated the symbiotic relationship between the armed forces and the local community in ensuring security, health, and well-being.

Nigeria and India have taken significant steps to reinforce their maritime collaboration, aiming to bolster security in the Gulf of Guinea. This strengthened naval alliance encompasses joint training, interoperability, hardware exchanges, and port visits, marking a pivotal moment in their enduring relationship. 

In his welcome speech during a goodwill visit by the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumeda in Lagos, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan emphasized the importance of such visits in enhancing the friendship, cooperation, and interoperability between Nigeria and India.

He highlighted that the collaboration between the two countries plays a crucial role in bolstering national security, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea region. Rear Admiral Hassan stressed the alignment of this cooperation with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla to improve security in the maritime domain.

“We’ve had a very beautiful relationship with India, which has spanned over five decades. The Navy, in particular, has had a good relationship encompassing training support, hardware exchanges, port visits, and joint exercises,” Rear Admiral Hassan remarked. He expressed optimism that the visit by INS Sumeda would further consolidate the security gains in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Rear Admiral highlighted the long-standing cordial relationship between Nigeria and India, extending to both navies. This relationship has been characterized by fruitful collaborations, training, interoperability, hardware exchanges, and port calls. He noted that Port calls by Indian Navy ships, such as INS Trishu and INS Takash, have been frequent, contributing to improved maritime security in Nigeria’s waters. These collaborations align with the CNS’s vision of shaping security outcomes in the maritime domain.

Rear Admiral Hassan acknowledged the training exchanges with the Indian Navy but expressed the need for a more balanced exchange, as more Indian students could benefit from Nigerian training institutions. He encouraged the Indian Navy to consider sending more students to Nigeria for training.

Rear Admiral Hassan expressed eagerness to discuss ways to improve interoperability, naval infrastructure, local shipbuilding, and other areas of cooperation during the visit. 

In a demonstration of the enduring relationship between India and Nigeria, India’s Defence Attaché, Colonel Romi Singh Legha extended his heartfelt appreciation for the warm welcome and valuable interaction during his visit. The dialogue served as a testament to the deep-rooted partnership between the two nations, which spans several decades.

Colonel Legha acknowledged the rich history of relations between Nigeria and India, with India taking the significant step of establishing its high commission in Nigeria two years before the country’s independence in 1958. 

He informed that in the early years of collaboration, India played an instrumental role in setting up the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Naval Academy in Port Harcourt. Notably, the initial commandants of these institutions were from India, with Brigadier Verma, in particular, remembered as the pioneer commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy for its first two years.

Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, India and Nigeria have engaged in numerous interactions. Every year, approximately 150 courses are offered under this program, with the Nigerian Navy benefiting from around 45 to 50 courses annually. This fully funded scheme, which includes travel to and from India, has seen the training of over 75,000 officers and men from the Nigerian armed forces in India. This significant effort is regarded as one of India’s most substantial contributions to capacity building for the Nigerian armed forces.

Regarding the current visit, Colonel Legha shared that India’s naval vessel, INS Sumedha, has been deployed in the region for approximately 20 days. This deployment goes beyond mere port calls, as operational deployment and anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Guinea are part of the mission.

He acknowledged that due to the collective efforts of the Nigerian Navy and other regional navies, piracy in the region has been notably reduced. In fact, the past year saw a significant decline in piracy incidents, marking a substantial achievement for all involved.

INS Sumedha’s mission also includes exercises and interactions with navies from other countries in the region, such as Ghana, Togo, Senegal, and Algeria. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to enhance cooperation, foster interoperability, and strengthen the bonds between Nigeria and India in the defense realm.

The visit by Colonel Romi Singh Legha and INS Sumedha underscores the commitment of both nations to fortify their defense ties, contributing to peace, security, and maritime stability in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.

In a swift and decisive response to intelligence received on 5th October 2023, the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT patrol team successfully foiled an illegal bunkering operation within the Igboelejo community area of Lagos State.

This operation was executed using the state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment, which played a pivotal role in the mission’s success.

According to an official statement from the Base Information Officer, Sub Lieutenant HA Collins noted that the vigilant patrol team promptly intercepted a large blue fiber boat suspected to be involved in illegal bunkering activities. Upon inspection, the vessel was found to contain 205 drums of a substance suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other related products. Regrettably, the perpetrators fled the scene upon sighting the approaching patrol team, abandoning the boat.

Demonstrating precision and professionalism, the NNS BEECROFT patrol team secured the vessel and transported it safely to the Base for further investigation and necessary actions.

This operation underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Navy, led by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, to uphold maritime security and eradicate illicit activities that pose risks, such as potential fire hazards, to coastal communities and the maritime domain.

The Nigerian Navy extends an appeal to the general public to provide crucial information that can help prevent catastrophic incidents. The Service remains resolute in its mission to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment, contributing to the prosperity of our beloved nation.