Navy

By Anwar Usman

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Michael Oamen, has called on the media to help mitigate disinformation capable of misleading the public.

Oamen made the request during an end-of-year media engagement held at the Western Naval Command in Lagos.

According to him, the speed at which information is generated and transmitted today is such that you must keep pace with it to manage it and ensure national security.

“Misinformation and all forms of hindrances that will make just a simple incident become out of proportion must be managed.” He further added that “The Western Naval Command is aware of such reality and we have decided that we must engage with the media within our sphere to have a platform to close that gap”.

The FOC said that once there was such a gap, it would be exploited; therefore, having a platform to constantly engage with the media would help iron out issues.

“Such a platform will help to reinvigorate any misconception or misinformation and that way we all will be contributing our quota to the attainment of our national security objective,” according to him.

He reiterated that “We try as much as possible to let every stakeholder in the society play their part in ensuring national security” “Nobody really gained from strategies that were attributable to disinformation or wrong use of the information spectrum” Oamen said.The FOC said that the year 2024 was quite eventful for the command and appreciated the role that the media played in informing the public of all its activities.

“As we look forward to 2025, the Western Naval Command, being the premier operational command of the Navy. we will be engaging in so many exercises and activities.

“Therefore, we are going to count on your support to inform the public of all our efforts, so that at the end of the day, the nation, is better for it,” Oamen said

By Anwar Usman

The operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship-Delta Gunboat Team have seized and arrested a barge and two trucks loaded with suspected stolen crude oil at the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority Jetty in Warri, Delta State.

Commodore Abba Muhsin, Commander of NNS-Delta, handed over the intercepted barge named ‘Barge Oghenekome’ and the two trucks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Warri on Tuesday.

The arrests, which took place on Thursday, November 7, 2024, followed credible intelligence, according to Commodore Muhsin, represented by the Executive Officer, NNS-Delta, Commander Ayi Ekpo Archibong.

The EFCC team, led by Superintendent Abdullahi Nuhu from the EFCC Benin Zone Directorate, received the exhibits on behalf of the anti-graft agency.

The commodore described the operation as part of a series of actions under Operation Delta Sanity of the Nigerian Navy and Operation Delta Safe of the Defence Headquarters.

He explained, “These arrests highlighted our commitment to eliminating illegal oil theft and related criminal activities from our operational areas.

“NNS-Delta remains resolute in its coast guard functions to support nation-building, and we are grateful for the collaboration from all government agencies and the good people of Delta State whose contributions have been instrumental to our efforts.”

He issued a serious warning to those involved in crude oil-related illegalities, urging them to cease such activities and embrace a new pat

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Navy have joined forces to suppress waterway smuggling in Lagos.

Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye of the NCS Western Marine Command visited the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Real Admiral Mustapha Hassan, on Tuesday, seeking support in tackling smuggling within the waterways. 

“We are here for consolidation. The FOC has promised us so many things, and they are even ready to release their boats,” Bamisaiye said, adding to the existing synergy between the two agencies. 

On tackling smuggling, Bamisaiye stated, “We are unrelenting in suppressing smuggling… We will match force with them. We are ready, and even with the promise from the FOC, we know that we are good to go.” 

Real Admiral Mustapha Hassan acknowledged the role of Customs in Nigeria’s blue economy, saying, “When the Western Marine Command tops its job, the sky is the limit.”

He proposed a joint patrol to combat smuggling, saying, “We will collaborate and make sure we bring smuggling to an end in Lagos.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, took a proactive step towards bolstering efforts against smuggling activities by forging a closer collaboration with the Nigerian Navy (NN).

In a recent courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the CGC indicated the importance of joint operations and intelligence-sharing between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the NN. 

During the visit on Tuesday, February 19, 2024, at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the relationship between the two agencies to combat smuggling effectively across Nigerian waterways.

He stated the necessity of tapping into the Nigerian Navy’s expertise to bolster the capacity of Customs personnel serving within the Customs Marine Units. 

Highlighting the NCS’s possession of ocean-going and creek-going vessels, CGC Adeniyi disclosed plans to transport two ocean-going vessels to the Nigerian Navy Dockyard for maintenance, further noting the importance of intelligence-driven operations in combating smuggling activities. 

In response, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla expressed gratitude for the visit and reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to supporting Customs in enforcing laws against smuggling.

He pledged the availability of Navy training facilities to the NCS at no cost and affirmed the need for reciprocal collaboration to enhance maritime security effectively. 

Vice Admiral Ogalla also addressed the importance of collaboration with a specific unit of the Nigerian Navy tasked with clearing items imported by the agency to streamline operations and mitigate obstacles.

Additionally, he proposed the review of a five-year-old Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) for monitoring maritime crimes in light of current challenges. 

The meeting between the Comptroller General of Customs and the Chief of Naval Staff signifies a significant stride towards enhancing maritime security and combating smuggling along Nigeria’s coastal waters.

The commitment to mutual support and collaboration sets a promising precedent for future joint efforts aimed at safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and promoting economic prosperity.