Navy vows to rid sea pirates of Nigerian waterways

The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire, has vowed to end the activities of sea pirates on Nigerian waterways.

Speaking on Thursday during his maiden inspection of the base and units at the Naval Command, NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, Oluwagbire warned sea pirates to steer clear of Nigerian waterways, especially, in his area of responsibility.

He added his visit was to familiarise himself with all the units under him and know what was happening in his command.

“We are coming to smoke sea pirates out of the waterways, we will get them and we will roast them,” Oluwagbire said.

The FOC urged the commander of NNS Jubilee to rejig the operations of the command so the boats are out on the sea for effective coverage of the waterways.

He charged the command to be more alert as they have always been and encouraged the public to give useful information to the command that would enable it to apprehend criminal elements in the area.

“There is one aspect of security that most people don’t understand, is not only the security agency’s business but is everybody’s business.

“If you see something, share it with the security agencies, so that it can help better the society. We are together, we will do it and make the waterways safe and better,” he stated.

The highlights of the FOC’s inspection included the visit of Utaewa, an outpost station and Proposed Naval Barracks, Essen, in Ikot Abasi local government area; Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo local government area; Nigerian Navy Military School, Ikot Ntuen; and the newly acquired Girls Model Secondary School at Awa Ubium in Onna LGA.