The Nigerian Navy yesterday disclosed that it had increased its
surveillance in the country’s maritime domain with the refurbishing of
its old vessels and the acquisition of new ones, which would end the
rate of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
The
naval force warned naval personnel not to engage in any form of partisan
politics, noting that the statutory duty of the Nigerian Navy was to
assist civil authority to ensure that the election was free and fair.
The
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas made the remarks at
the inauguration of the newly remodelled headquarters of the Nigerian
Navy Ship (NNS), Warri, Delta State.
Ibas, who was represented by
the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm.
Saidu Garba, noted that it would be able to reduce, if not end, the rate
of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, particularly in the Niger Delta.
With
its new plan, the naval chief said the Nigerian Navy had increased its
surveillance in the country’s internal and territorial waters with the
refurbishing of its old vessels and the acquisition of new ones.
He
said, “Our patrols in the water have been reinvigorated. We have almost
permanent presence in the sea. This means we have not left any room for
the thieves and see pirates to operate.
“Obviously with our
presence, they will now have to look for other means to operate. The
saying is that control is patrol and patrol is control. So we will
ensure that our persistence patrol will enable us to control the
maritime domain.”
Besides maritime surveillance, Ibas warned
naval personnel against involvement in partisan politics, saying as a
statutory responsibility, the military men “must not be involved in any
form of politicking. We shall not favour any person or go along with
anybody in politics.
“Our second statutory responsibility is to
ensure that when called upon we give sufficient security to our INEC
officials that will be going into the waters. Obviously, they must
require security. Our presence there will enable them deliver their
electoral materials as required.”
Ibas warned anybody, especially
the youths, not to seek for the assistance of any of its personnel
before, during or after the elections, noting that the Nigerian Navy
would not hesitate to arrest such persons.
He urged the youths
“not to come close to any of our personnel requiring any form of
political assistance. Any person that comes to us requiring any form of
political assistance, we are going to arrest him because it is against
our regulations.
“They should ensure that they go about their
democratic rights to vote without any form of violence. We will be
called upon to assist any civil authority in ensuring that law and order
is maintained during the election period.”
Also speaking at the
inauguration, the FOC said the purpose of the on-going renovation
exercise in all naval commands, was to ensure that personnel in the
entire Nigerian Navy had a conducive environment to operate.
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