ETIM EFFIONG
The Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee has arrested 17 suspects over sea piracy and armed robbery in Akwa Ibom State.
The Commander of the NNS Jubilee in Akwa Ibom State, Commodore Abdulmajid Ibrahim, who disclosed this this during a courtesy call on him by members of the state council of Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Thursday, added that 15 militants’ camps were also destroyed.
According to Ibrahim, the militant camps, were discovered and destroyed during its anti-piracy and anti-sea robbery operations.
The commander added that the destruction of the militants’ camps was made possible through the navy’s penetration of some of the creeks within the jurisdiction of the base.
Ibrahim explained that between May 2020 and January 2021, the navy during its routine operations, destroyed the 15 militant camps, arrested 17 piracy and sea robbery suspects.
He stated further that during the period, the navy also seized 285,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and different kinds of ammunition from the suspects.
He said: “Within six months as commander of the base, we have destroyed 15 militant camps, arrested 17 suspects during our operations and recovered 285,000 litres of AGO and ammunition from them, and have handed over the suspects and items to the prosecuting agencies.
“We involve in joint patrol with the police across the base communities every day. This has led to relative peace and security in the area and brought illegal bunkering to the barest minimum.
“Our strategy is continuous aggressive patrol. We try to dominate the water space and maritime environment. Within the last six months, there has been no attack on the NNS infrastructure.
“We have maintained a good civil-military relationship with our host community, through our Corporate Social Responsibility.
“We carry out free medical consultations and give out drugs within our capacity in our medical rhapsody outreach programme,” Ibrahim said.
The commander stated that the joint patrol operations of the Navy and Nigerian Police Force have resulted in relative peace and security in the area and brought illegal bunkering and trade on the water ways to a barest minimum.