NAVY VOWS TO END ACTIVITIES OF MILITANTS IN OGUN WATERWAYS

The Nigerian Navy has pledged to put an end to the activities of militants in and around the Ogun creeks and waterways.

Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, gave the pledge on Tuesday in Abeokuta when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

He said that plans were underway to establish a Naval Base at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state, to check maritime fraud.

“In a short distance, we will establish a naval unit there to fight the numerous maritime illegalities that are being carried out in that stretch between Badagry and Benin Republic through the Tongeji Island axis.

“It is hoped that when the naval base is established there, it will act as checkpoint where people must pass through to go to Benin Republic.

“Once our presence is established there, it’s like you have virtually block them.

“We expect to see a decline in some of these illegal activities within that stretch, he said.

Bobai said that the Navy in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service arrested some pipeline vandals and contraband smugglers in the area.

He expressed the readiness of the command to tackle the menace of militancy in the state, saying the operation is ongoing.

He said that the operation, tagged, “Operation Awatse” would ensure eradication of militants in the area.

The FOC, who identified absence of right of way as a major barrier in the maritime sector, said the Navy was doing the needful to tackle it headlong.

“Essentially, from the maritime front, one of the greatest problems we have is in the right of way in the water front and creeks there.

“There are natural obstacles that will hinder us to move from point A to point B and the Chief of Naval Staff is very much concerned about that.

“Today, we have a team that is going round some of those creeks to see how we can open up the waterways to enable us move in to confront these issues that we are talking about,” he added.

Earlier, Amosun, who stated that his administration was poised to make the state safe for its people, pledged the support of the government to ensure safety on its waterways and in the creeks.

No fewer than 50 persons lost their lives recently when the militants attacked Elepete and Igbo-Olomu and Ebute-Ibafo in Ogun.

Source: Punchng.com