By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday said that activities of pirates and sea robbers in the Nigerian maritime domain and by extension the Gulf of Guinea have been on a progressive decline.

The service also disclosed Nigeria has exited the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB), Piracy List, according to the current report of 3 March 2022.

Nigerian Navy added that its coordinated operations, International Martine Exercises, and deployment of modern technology in curtailing crime and criminalities in Nigerian waters have continued to deny pirates, sea robbers, and economic saboteurs freedom of action.

This is even as the service rolls out drums to commemorate its 66th-anniversary celebration.

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The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo who said this while, briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the Nigerian Navy 66th anniversary celebration, also, added that the service has achieved significant milestones in ensuring improved maritime security for the nation’s economic prosperity in its over 6 decades of existence

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, the CNS disclosed that its successes against pirate activities had resulted in improved shipping into Nigeria’s waters with an attendant positive impact on the nation’s economy

“This noble achievement was complemented by the International Maritime Bureau Global Piracy Report of 14 July 2021, which indicated the lowest number of piracy and sea robbery against ships in our waters in 27 years. The report was corroborated by the Defence Web, which noted a further decline in reported cases of piracy and armed attacks against shipping in Nigerian waters. I am pleased to notify you that the latest International Maritime Bureau report of 3 March 2022 shows that Nigeria has exited the IMB’s, Piracy List. This means that Nigeria is no longer on the list of piracy-prone countries,” the CNS further disclosed.

He noted that the consequences of such achievements are enormous and positive for the shipping industry, general maritime commerce, and the national economy.

According to him, “Progressively, the NN has continued to make giant strides, especially in the areas of Fleet recapitalization and operational activities. The continuing recapitalization of the fleet is a top priority of the NN under my watch. The unflinching support of President Muhammadu Buhari, through aggressive fleet recapitalization, led to the acquisition of several capital ships, fast patrol boats, inshore patrol crafts including air assets as well as the indigenous construction of seaward defencedefense boats (SDB).

“Last year, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) LANA, a Hydrographic survey ship, joined the fleet from France in December 2021, while the contract for another 35m Hydrographic Survey Ship has been signed with OCEA Shipbuilding, France. Also, on 1 April 22, the Service took delivery of its newly constructed Landing Ship Tank (LST) – 100, NNS KADA at DAMEN Shipyard in Sharjah, UAE. Subsequently, the vessel set sail on her maiden voyage to Nigeria.

“NNS KADA is expected in the country on Friday 27 May 2022. Efforts are also ongoing for the acquisition of another LST. Furthermore, the NN recently signed a contract with DEARSAN Shipyard of Turkey for the construction of 2 X 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

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“The NN is also in the process of taking delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to enhance our Maritime Surveillance/Domain Awareness assets including NN response capability. Needful to add that the construction of SDB IV and V at Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos has commenced”.

He said the NN has also performed satisfactorily in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering through operations conducted by operations bases and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).

“The most recent and ongoing operation in the NN is Op DAKATAR DA BARAWO (meaning “Stop the Thief” in the Hausa Language) which was activated on 1 April 2022 in synergy with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited. Pertinently, within 7 weeks, the operation recorded some successes. We also arrested 45 suspects, deactivation of 172 Illegal Refining Sites (IRS), 745 metal storage tanks, 567 ovens, and 263 pits including the destruction of 50 wooden boats and 14 speedboats. Equally, NN Patrol Teams denied oil thieves about 11,781,937 Liters of illegally refined AGO, 20,378,414 Liters (128,180 bbls) of crude oil, and 367,715 Liters of DPK. Others are, about 232,000 Liters of PMS, 830,000 Liters of Sludge by, and 66,000 Liters of LPFO,” He said.

Vice Admiral Gambo concluded that these products are worth over N15 billion.