By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Militants Attacking Oil and Other Critical Infrastructures Are Enemies of Nigeria – Naval Chief
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
News

Militants Attacking Oil and Other Critical Infrastructures Are Enemies of Nigeria – Naval Chief

Farouk Mohammed
By Farouk Mohammed
Published: May 29, 2016
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Vice-Admiral-Ibok-Ekwe-Ibas

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, has described militants attacking oil and other critical infrastructures of government as enemies of state who must be dealt with accordingly.

He spoke at the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) during an international maritime sea exercise code named OPIA TOHA (togetherness) organised as part of activities to celebrate the Nigerian Navy’s (NN) 60th anniversary.

It was gathered that the Navy yesterday deployed four gun boats with special forces in the Niger Delta creeks to flush out Niger Delta Avengers and other threats to economic stability.

- Advertisement -

The Nation reliably gathered that NNS OKPABANA, a Frigate Class warship was among the vessels tasked to police the troubled region, while small gunboats as well as Special Boat Services (SBS) personnel have been tasked to block all choke points and smoke out the militants.

Ibas noted the need for more assets for the force to enable it effectively tackle the challenges of the moment.

Other countries’ navies that participated in the one day sea exercise were France, Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Cote D’ Ivoire and the United Kingdom.

While the NN deployed five vessels and two helicopters, France, Ghana and Cameroon each deployed a boat for the exercise.

- Advertisement -

Fielding questions from reporters, Ibas said the resources the NN deployed in the conduct of the sea exercise was justified by the performance of personnel.

He said: “The Armed Forces of any nation are trained to fight enemies of the nation. For now, militants are enemies of Nigeria and we will completely eliminate them.

“We are doing our very best but still require much more from government to enable us do better. We need more assets. We have a vast maritime space to cover.

“We have the back waters as well where new emerging threats are coming from. Indeed, we need vessels to be able to dominate.”

Asked what was delaying NNS UNITY the second vessel Nigerian ordered from China, the CNS said the Frigate Class ship would soon be delivered.

“NNS UNITY will be with us in a short while. The Second Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) is about 98 percent complete. It has already been launched. Once they start the sea and acceptance trials, she should be able to join the service.

“For NNS ARADU, survey is being conducted. To put ARADU back means deploying resources into the system. But once we get the recommendation of the survey, we will be able to take appropriate actions,” said Ibas.

Commending the NN for deploying men and material for the regional exercise, Namibia’s naval chief, Rear Admiral Peter Vilho said it was a demonstration of the NN’s might and capabilities.

Compared to many other third world countries, he said the NN has made major strides. “We used to do a few exercises in our region but we have never had one like this with many vessels and nations participating. The Nigerian Navy has been able to muster so many vessels at sea in this exercise. I am here personally because we were supposed to also bring a vessel for this exercise but it developed technical problem.

“So, I said we are still going to participate and continue since we already registered our interest for it.

“We are a bit farther from the GoG region but we believe that things can be tackled before they get worst. That’s why we find out about challenges from other parts of the world in order to prevent them.”

Giving an assessment of the exercise, the Commander of the Task group and Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Fergusson Bobai said its objectives were met, adding that the joint forces proved that language was not a barrier to effective maritime security.

“Normally, platforms should be acquired based on threat scenario and the NN’s contemporary threats are in our back waters i.e. militancy, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. So, we must look for proper mix of vessels to fight them. “OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) are one of the good vessels we can use to patrol our offshore installations.

“Helicopter is a force multiplier, she can be sent out to survey and feed the ship back on its findings so that the right platform can be vectored to go and confront the particular challenge. We are celebrating 60 years of existence, growing from strength to strength,” he said.

At the sea exercise were the Commandant, NDC, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade; Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola; Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and Sierra Leonean Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gen. Alfred Nelson-Williams (rtd), among others.

 

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:MilitantsNaval Chief
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByFarouk Mohammed
Publisher
Follow:
Farouk Mohammed is a Head Editor at Okay Nigeria (Okay.ng). He has been publishing for 10 years and focused more on Local/World News on Okay.ng
Previous Article Mourinho Is Really Irritating – Roy Keane
Next Article In One Year, Buhari Succeeded in Running Nigeria Aground – Fayose

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 4 days ago (May 29, 2025 8:07 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Police Nab Three Suspected Robbers, Recover Stolen Cars in Anambra
News
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Face Court on Tuesday Over Defamation Allegations
News
FG Unveils Ambitious Plan to Build 77,400 Social Housing Units Nationwide Under Renewed Hope Agenda
News
Nigeria GDP Growth, Nigeria renewable energy
Presidential Adviser Onanuga Predicts Decline in Cost of Living as Tinubu’s Reforms Take Effect
News Top stories
Elon Musk
Elon Musk Denies Heavy Drug Use Claims in Fiery X Response
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

Davido
Celebrities

Davido Receives Official Praise from Nigerian Government [Here’s Why]

Damilola A.
Damilola A.
June 1, 2025
Explainer

Here’s How Much It Costs to Stay at Eko Hotel and Suites for One Night in 2025

Okay.ng
Okay.ng
June 1, 2025
News

Saudi Arabia to Broadcast 2025 Arafah Sermon Live in 37 Languages Including Hausa, Yoruba, and Fulani

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 1, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?