The Nigerian Navy (NN) Director of Information, Rear Admiral A.O Ayo-Vaughan has rejected reports by some media platforms against its efforts towards the fight against crude oil theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement said: “The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to the untoward activities of some desperate individuals/organisations, who are engaged in sponsoring unsubstantiated publications in some mainstream and online news platforms against the ongoing effort of the NN towards eradicating the menace of crude oil theft and other forms of illegalities in the Nation’s maritime sector.
“It has been observed that their modus operandi include sourcing the services of third-party agents/sectional egoists to discredit the reinvigorated stance of the NN in the fight against crude oil theft.
“Ordinarily, the NN would not have responded to such baseless assertions, but it has become necessary to prevent gullible members of the public from being misinformed by the erroneous publications.
“Suffice it to state that the NN, in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of the nation’s maritime security.
“It is on record that the NN has always worked harmoniously with all maritime stakeholders nationally, regionally and internationally. The coming onboard of private maritime stakeholders for the protection of critical onshore economic assets in the interest of the nation’s economy is a known development, provided professionalism and standard operating procedures are upheld strictly.”
Hence, it is complete fallacy to allege to the contrary via sponsored ill-conceived and uncorroborated publications.” The navy chief noted that the NN, as the lead agency for the security of Nigeria’s maritime environment, has been in the forefront of galvanising legitimate maritime stakeholders for the collective fight against crude oil theft, and to secure national economic assets.
He alluded to the various past and ongoing operations and exercises designed to curb maritime criminality, particularly, oil theft. Some of the operations, according to him, are: Operation Dakar Ta Dabarwo, Operation Calm Waters, Operation Nchekwe Oshimili and Exercise Sea Guardian, among others.
He added: “NN operations against crude oil theft in 2023 resulted in the arrest of 23 ships, over 233 suspects, 690 wooden boats with stolen crude oil and products, while over 703 illegal refining sites were destroyed. Also, tens of barges, 82 vehicles and tanker trucks were arrested and crude oil, as well as petroleum products amounting to over N105 billion were confiscated.”
