Naval Chief Declares Total War On Oil Thieves

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has declared that his vision for the Nigerian Navy is to end the menace of crude oil theft and other maritime crimes from the country’s maritime boundaries.

The naval chief said this recently when members of the Enugu Journalists Forum (EJF) paid him a solidarity visit at his office in Abuja.

Vice Admiral Ogalla also gave assurance that the proposed Naval Base in Ogurugu, Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu State will become a reality, adding that he was determined to ensure that the mandate of the Nigerian Navy is achieved in his tenure.

Ogalla, who was represented by the director of plans, Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Abuja, Rear Admiral Akinola Olodude, disclosed that the Nigerian Navy was working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and other relevant maritime security agencies toward the effective protection of the nation’s territorial waters.

Olodude said, “The CNS, immediately after he took over, within a short period of time, undertook a tour of the South East states. He met with South East governors; he visited each one of them to discuss the issue of insecurity in the region.

“Even though he was on national assignment during the South East Security Summit, he made sure he sent a representative. The Naval Base in the South East is something that is very important and very dear to his heart. Definitely, it will see the light of the day.”

He stated that Ogalla was a top-drawer professional and a detribalised Nigerian, noting that no matter one’s religion, tribe or background, “he tries his best to be fair and to carry everyone along.”

Admiral Olodude further urged journalists to be objective in their reportage and avoid misrepresentation of fact, even as he recognised their important role in national development.

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In his address, the president of the Enugu Journalists Forum, Chief Malachy Uzendu, told the CNS that the group were visiting to felicitate with their kinsman on his recent elevation, noting that this is the second time somebody from Enugu State is occupying such a position.

Uzendu lauded the Naval boss for establishing a Naval Base in Ogurugu town in Uzo-Uwani local government area, and urged him to do whatever he can to make it functional as it will contribute to improving the security situation in the region. 

“We believe that establishing a Naval Base in that part of the country will help to resolve the issues of insecurity.

“Enugu State is one state where there had been peace until recently, because of bad elements especially in Igboeze North where he (Ogalla) comes from,” he noted.

The president also called for fairness and equity in the recruitment into the armed forces, noting that smart and well-educated youths from South East are always surprisingly denied enlistment into the armed forces in favour of less endowed persons from other parts of Nigeria.