By Udoyo Oyosongo, Yenagoa
The Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has launched a 90-day maritime operation code-named ‘Operation DOUBENI II’ with a vow to flush out criminalities in the coastal lines of the Niger Delta region.
The operation which was launched at the Nigerian Port Authority Jetty, Warri, recently, is a follow-up to Operation Calm Waters launched in 2019, which resulted in the destruction of 186 illegal refineries and arrest of suspected operators.
The operation is aimed at conducting evolutions to curb criminal activities in maritime domain within the command’s area of responsibility and make the area crime-free for economic exploratory activities for enhanced national development.
The Command’s Information officer, Commander Blessed Nuhu, in a statement on Saturday quoted the flag officer commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, as stating that the operation was to consolidate on the impressive achievements recorded by the Nigerian Navy during the conduct of Operation Calm Waters which was activated in May 2019 to deter planned agitations within and around Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Rear Admiral Garba also disclosed that Operation Calm Waters had contributed to the reduction in reported incidents of sea robbery, illegal bunkering, smuggling, illegal refinery and other maritime crimes within Nigerian waters.
He also explained that within the period of the operation, the Nigerian Navy recorded a total of 27,918 hours of sea patrol which resulted in the arrest of 31 vessels and 357 persons suspected to be engaged in maritime illegalities.
He added that Nigerian Navy bases cumulatively neutralised a total of 186 illegal refineries with 2,036 metal tanks and ovens, seizing a total of 23,102,900 litres of illegally sourced products.
The officer reeled out that despite efforts made by the Navy and other security agencies at tackling the numerous security challenges prevalent in Nigeria, palpable threats still persist, particularly in Nigeria’s maritime domain, with threats to attack critical maritime infrastructure, both ashore and offshore, hence the need for the command to launch Operation DOUBENI II.
He said: “Operation of this nature is critical towards sustaining the resources and huge potentials of our dear nation which sadly is undermined by domestic and sometimes cross-border threats.
“The situation calls for measures to bring sanity to the nation’s maritime domain,” he said.
Earlier, the fleet commander, Central Fleet and Officer in Tactical Command of the Operation, Rear Adm. Emmanuel Beckley, stated that the operation will involve the deployment of all the available ships, helicopters and other platforms under the command.
