Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies (PSNAFSA) has applauded outgone chief of the naval staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, for his tenacity at building a virile, forward looking and responsive naval force, capable of safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment.
The group noted that the Nigerian Navy achieved several commendable milestones under Gambo’s watch, in 29 months, ranging from recapitalisation and strengthening collaborative efforts with national and international stakeholders.
The convener of PSNAFSA, Mary Abayomi Fatile said among these remarkable feats were the delivery of the brand new NNS LANA (new Hydrographic Survey Vessel) and NNS KADA, which is Nigeria’s newest warship; signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Refit and Remodeling of Nigeria’s Flagship, NNS ARADU, as well as placing an order for two high-endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), currently being built by Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey.
She said under the watch of 57-year-old vibrant Gambo, the first Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) of the Nigerian Navy since 2010, was held in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, during which two new ships and a new helicopter were inducted into service.
“He vigorously tackled oil theft through the launch of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, considered as the biggest anti-oil theft military operation in the history of Nigeria, with the deployment of 40 warships, 200 gunboats, five helicopters, among other assets.
“This operation recorded the seizure of 728,000 barrels of crude oil, 44.5 million liters of illegally-refined diesel, 2.46 million liters of kerosene, amounting to more than N71 billion in the first year he assumed office,” she said.
The convener of PSNAFSA said in addition, the Falcon Eye Alignment, a state-of-the-art maritime surveillance and intelligence system, and one of the most sophisticated domain awareness systems in Africa was commissioned during his tenure.
“In fact, records showed that Nigeria recorded OPEC’s biggest increase in oil production. In May 2023, Nigeria regained its position as Africa’s leading oil producer. This was in addition to the feat of bringing down piracy levels in Nigeria’s coastal waters to the lowest levels in 27 years, thus securing the delisting of Nigeria from the global list of piracy-prone countries.
“Furthermore, the Navy during Vice Admiral Gambo’s tenure advanced its local content work, completed construction of the third Seaward Defence Boats (SDB-3) and commenced the simultaneous construction of SDBs 4 and 5.”
The group stated that on maritime survey , Gambo flagged-off Charting and Survey of the Lower Rivers Niger and Benue; launched the first set of indigenously-produced navigational charts of the Lower River Nigeria in the history of Nigeria, supported by AfreximBank; Flagged-off the Pre-dredging Hydrographic Survey of the proposed Sea Access Route from Oguta Lake in Imo State, through the Orashi River, to the Atlantic Ocean, a collaboration between the Imo State government, the Nigerian Navy, and a consortium of technical partners.
The statement added that on law enforcement, it is on record that he secured the first set of convictions under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act (SPOMO) assented to by former President Buhari in 2019.
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