Chief of naval staff warns Niger Delta Avengers against resuming their bombing campaign

CHIEF of naval staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has warned the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) against resuming their campaign involving the destruction and bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta pointing out that they will be met with force if they do.

Last year, NDA initiated an intensive bombing campaign in the Niger Delta, blowing up pipelines, installations and export terminals. This severely cut Nigeria's crude oil output and reduced exports, forcing the government to enter into negotiations with the militants in return for a ceasefire.

As a result of the ending of hostilities, Nigeria's crude oil output has risen again but claiming that the government has not kept its side of the bargain, NDA is threatening to resume its campaign. However, speaking at the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, Admiral Ibas said no group had the strength to threaten the peace and unity of Nigeria, adding that the navy was prepared to confront any threat in the region.

Admiral Ibas said: “We are prepared for any group that threatens the unity and peace of our country and we are ready to stop all forms of illegal activities on our nation’s economic resources. I am here to carry out an appraisal on the activities of all mobile units ashore, training establishment as well as exercise the fleet later.

“No individual or group including the Niger Delta Avengers has the audacity to threaten the country and we will also make sure that Nigerians can use the maritime space unhindered. We have in the last two years made a considerable impact of reducing the operations of pirates."

He added that the presence of the Nigerian Navy had given rise to maritime commerce and that there had been a remarkable improvement in the number of ships that were coming into the country. Admiral Ibas further explained that the recent acquisition of 150 boats by the Nigerian Navy which was produced by an indigenous company Epenal Boat, had created a positive impact.

“Most great nations are nations that are able to take their destiny in their hands and I believe that Nigeria could look inwards and develop boats. We have identified that we have an indigenous boat company and we decided to try them out given the type of challenges that we have," Admiral Ibas said.

He also disclosed that the Nigerian Navy had on November 12 arrested six pirates who had attempted to hijack a ship, adding that the impact of the navy on the sea lately had given rise to increased maritime activities. Nigeria's coastal waters have been a haven for pirates recently, who steal crude oil and kidnap oil workers for ransom.