Eugene Agha
10 October 2008
Lagos — The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim, yesterday warned all those who consider themselves abductors and hostage takers to stay away from the Niger Delta region or risk facing the wrath of the law when arrested.
He insisted that it was never going to be business as usual in the area as the navy was now ready more than ever to carry out its constitutional roles to the later.
Admiral Ibrahim's warning may not be unconnected with the frequent cases of kidnap and hostage taking in the region and the perceived threat at the nation's economic base which is at sea.
The new CNS gave this warning in Lagos while addressing officers and men of the Lagos area.
According to him, all activities of illegal bunkering, sea pirates abductors and hostage takers must, not only come to end within the nation's waterways, but as far as the Gulf of Guinea.
Vice Admial Ibrahim stated that the warning became necessary following the frequent threat at the economy of the nation by the activities of crude oil thieves, and abductors at sea.
"I know that the Nigerian Navy is capable of carrying out its constitutional responsibility of protecting the country's territorial waters and in turn put an end to activities of illegal bunkerers, sea pirates and abductors who think that they can convert our waterways into a safe haven for their criminal activities" he added.
He stated further that the Government and the good people of the country still have respect and confidence in the Nigerian Navy.
Toward this end, he urged all officers and ratings to join hand with the present naval authority so that they can jointly and collectively put the Nigerian Navy where it should be.
"I sea our plat forms plying beyond our waters, we have all it takes to be where we should be. Presently it is difficult to convince anyone that these ships were all over the world at one time or the other" he said.
He advised officers to be constructive in their criticisms and focus their thinking towards restoring dignity in the naval authority.
He warned all officers who are in the habit of breaching the standard procedure in the navy to desist from it as the authority in charge has been directed to fish out all the bad eggs in the system.
"I do not want to encourage any illegality in the navy, if have to report any matter it should be to your direct superiors. Those attached to Beecroft should see their Commanding Officer, who will in turn inform the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, and whose duty it is to report to the Naval Headquarters. Henceforth any information must go through he normal channel. We have a task ahead of us" he stated.
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