Leadership (Abuja)
Chuks Ohuegbe
16 November 2007
Abuja — The Nigerian Navy has so far arrested no fewer than 260 ships and barges allegedly involved in illegal bunkering of the nation's crude products.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the Nigerian NEWSWORLD Leadership Forum, stressing that the nation's waters is a very complex one.
The naval chief, however, absolved the navy from alleged sharp practices in the nation's seaports, noting that the navy does not control ships in the ports.
"It is the function of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The navy has been removed from the port since 1988. What we do is random checks," Admiral Adekeye said.
The CNS also endorsed the presence of the United States marines in the Gulf of Guinea, stressing that the US has interest all over the world.
He said that the US marines' presence in the Gulf of Guinea would help combat global terrorism.
Adekeye also said that the US buys much of the nation's crude oil products and needs to protect their ships.
The CNS said that so many of the nation's ships have been reactivated in the past two years.
He said that the fleet renewal is aimed at making Nigeria a naval power.
Besides the refurbishing of the ships, he also hinted that the first set of new fleet of ships would arrive the country in June, next year.
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It is difficult to understand why and how the Nigerian Navy can be boasting of any achievement when the militants and their international mercinaries and pirates continue to bomb pipelines almost any time they choose to. The government should probably bring the Airforce and the army to support the Navy since it is obvious the Navy alone is not up to the game and without a doubt, the economy of the country in suffering. It is also interesting to read that the CNS also approved the presence of the US army in the Gulf of Guinea. If by any chance it happens that it is the US that is responsible for thr arming and training of the militants, which is not impossible, then the government is creating that oppurtunity for indirectly bringing back slavery into Africa again. However, this time, the black race may not survive it. Mark my words.