Navy Reads Riot Act To Criminals In Rivers, Delta

The Nigerian Navy has warned criminal elements operating within Rivers and Delta states to turn a new leaf as it will not rest on its oars in stamping out all forms of criminalities, especially crude oil theft, piracy, kidnapping and cultism.

The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo and the Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin gave the warning yesterday shortly after they led officers and men of the command on the Naval quarterly road march.

The road march in Port Harcourt began at about 6:00am as men and officers of the Nigerian Navy marched from the NNS Pathfinder Base down to Aker Junction and then moved to Ada George Road flyover, and marched back to the base, making a round walk of over 15.7 kilometres.
Igbo said NNS Pathfinder under his leadership has made tremendous achievements, particularly in the area of combating crude oil theft, sea robbery and other crimes in the first quarter of 2024.

He said: “The road march was imperative to keep officers and men physically and mentally fit, to be able to discharge their duties and face the enemy.

“We have told them (criminal elements) time without number that we are ready for them and we are putting out a strong warning for them to desist from all forms of criminality especially oil theft to kidnapping, cultism and sea piracy.

“They (criminals) don’t have any option but to desist, and we don’t have any option than to disorganize them and chase them away from Niger Delta, and by the grace of God we will achieve that, because that is the mandate which the Chief of Naval Staff gave us to stamp out criminality in the Niger Delta, especially oil theft, pipeline vandalism and all other forms of criminality.”

The NNS Pathfinder boss explained that the first quarter road march of the Nigerian Navy, was taking place simultaneously across every command and formation of the Nigerian Navy across the country.

In Delta State, Commodore Abba Muhsin cautioned the personnel to stay out of trouble and be mindful of the way they use the social media.
Commodore Muhsin led the officers and ratings on the exercise that kick-started at about 6:15 am.

The exercise commenced at the Warri Naval base, enroute Okere Road through Airport Road and connected the NPA Expressway and terminated at the Naval base.

“NNS Delta Areas of Operation is not for the criminals, we are calling on them to leave peacefully while the good people do their legitimate businesses. As long as you want to stay with us, we will definitely get you, therefore, leave before the law catches up on you.

“Do not make yourself vulnerable in whatever way. If you must find yourself on social media, it must be within the acceptable standard,” he warned officers.

Speaking on the route march, Muhsin added that the exercise was aimed at reviving the personnel’s conducts, endurance and their collective abilities to fulfill the mandates bestowed on them by the federal government.