Naval Chief Asks Commanders To Leverage Intelligence, Technology To End Oil Theft

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has charged heads of Nigerian Navy commands to intensify their operations to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and combat all forms of criminality in its maritime environment.

He particularly urged them to leverage intelligence and technology-driven operations to stop oil theft.

Abbas gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with Flag Officers Commanding, commanders of Tri-Service operations, operations bases and logistics groups in Abuja.

According to the Naval spokesperson, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Admiral Abbas reaffirmed the importance of upholding the Nigerian Navy’s core values of professionalism, integrity and teamwork.

Folorunsho said Vice Admiral Abbas strategic engagement with the commanders, four months after assuming command of the Navy, was aimed at rejigging the Service operations across all spectrums as outlined in the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy.

In a press statement yesterday, Folorunsho said the move followed an extensive operational tour by the Naval chief to engage directly with personnel across all Nigerian Navy units and to consult with key stakeholders to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s operations.

According to Folorunsho, this aligned with Admiral Abbas’ vision to develop a modern, agile, and professional naval force dedicated to securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives, in synergy with other security agencies.

Abbas commended the successes of the Nigerian Navy’s flagship operation, Operation DELTA SENTINEL, as well as other similar operations.

He lauded them over the increase in intelligence-led and technology-driven naval operations, which, according to him, had resulted in major seizures of stolen crude oil, the destruction of illegal refining sites, the arrest of illegal bunkerers, and improved search-and-rescue operations by the Nigerian Navy.

The CNS stated that these efforts have ensured zero piracy in Nigeria’s waters, boosted oil production, and saved the nation billions of Naira that could have been lost to criminal elements.