The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has ordered all naval formations in the country to maintain the highest level of readiness to ensure safety in the maritime sector during the holidays and beyond.
The Nigerian Navy said it is aware of the desperation of criminally minded people to perpetuate crimes in the maritime domain thereby undermining legitimate economic activities. It also urges Nigerians to be vigilant on the activities of fake naval personnel who create security breaches urging citizens to promptly report impostors and
other criminals to the nearest Naval formation.
The Director of Navy Public Relations, Commodore Christian Ezekobe in a release made available in Abuja urged Nigerians to go about their lawful duties without fear.
Ezekobe also said a Service patrol team deployed from Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY under the maritime component of OPs DELTA SAFE on December 2, 2016 descended heavily on illegal refinery owners. The patrol team discovered and destroyed four illegal refineries set up at Ijawkiri in Rivers state while five persons were
arrested in connection with the sites.
Other items destroyed are five Cotonou boats laden with products suspected to be crude oil and another Cotonou boat loaded with several drums of illegally refined AGO.
Also, 12 tanks laden with illegally AGO and six tanks laden with products suspected to be crude oil were destroyed. The suspects arrested in connection with the illegal refineries would be handed over to relevant security agency for further action.
