Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
The Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has commenced a 90-day maritime operation codenamed ‘Operation DOUBENI II.’
The operation, which was launched from the Nigerian Ports Authority Jetty, Warri, Delta State, is aimed at conducting evolutions to curb criminal maritime activities within the CNC area of responsibility (AOR) and make the area crime-free for economic exploratory activities for enhanced national development.
The Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, stated that the operation was to consolidate the impressive achievements recorded by the NN during the conduct of Operation CALM WATERS, which was activated in May 2019 to deter planned agitations within and around Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Garba stated that Operation CALM WATERS had to a large extent contributed to the reduction in reported incidents of sea robbery, piracy, illegal bunkering, smuggling, illegal refinery and other maritime crimes within Nigerian territorial waters.
He highlighted that within the period of the operation, the Navy recorded a total of 27,918 hours of sea patrol, which resulted in the arrest of 31 vessels and 357 persons suspected to be engaged in maritime illegalities.
The FOC also added that NN bases cumulatively neutralised a total of 186 illegal refineries with 2,036 metal tanks and ovens, seizing a total of 23,102,900 litres of illegally sourced products.
Garba pointed out that notwithstanding the efforts made by the Navy and other security agencies in tackling the numerous security challenges prevalent in Nigeria, palpable threats still persisted, particularly in Nigeria’s maritime domain with threats to attack critical maritime infrastructure, both ashore and offshore, hence the need for the command to launch Operation DOUBENI II.
According to the FOC, operation of this nature is critical towards sustaining the resources and huge potential of the country, which he said was undermined by domestic and sometimes cross-border threats.
He said the situation called for measures to bring sanity to the nation’s maritime domain.
The FOC, therefore, urged all the participating ships and platforms of the CNC to be alert to their responsibilities and put in their best in order to maximise the opportunity and consolidate the gains achieved towards securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He noted that within the limits of available resources, CNC had been focused and proactive in combating the myriads of threats and illegal activities in Nigeria’s maritime environment.
He affirmed that the protection of resources and economic activities in the nation is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders in the region.
He called for the cooperation of and support of all maritime security stakeholders as well as the civil populace in confronting threats to the nation’s common interest.
In his remarks, the Fleet Commander, Central Fleet and Officer in Tactical Command of the Operation, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Beckley, stated that the operation would involve the deployment of all the available ships, helicopters and other platforms under the command.