The Nigerian Navy will tomorrow embark on a weeklong military exercise along the Bonny – Akassa- Escravos axis of the Niger Delta under the command of the chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral DJ Ezeoba in pursuit of oil thieves in the region.
A statement signed for the CNS by Rear Admiral EO Ogbor, said that the operation is in line with the mandate given to Nigerian Navy by Mr. President and Commander in Chief “to do all it can to stamp out the prevalence of illegal maritime activities, particularly crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and piracy in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria”
The Niegrian Navy will conduct a major fleet evaluation Exercise Code named Exercise FARAUTA , meaning hunting in Hausa from 11 – 17 November 2012 in the Bight of Bonny. The aim of the exercise is to intensify the ongoing naval operations in the Niger Delta region with emphasis on Bonny-Akassa-Escravos axis (an area notorious for crude oil theft) up to the extent of the offshore oil platforms at Bonga and Bogi.
“The exercise will enable the Nigerian Navy to assess its operational capability with a view to identifying gaps for enhance operational readiness. The synergy spectrum with specific emphasis to immediately end all criminal activities in the Niger Delta region. The scenario painted in the exercise is consistent with the contemporary maritime challenges in the country.
According to the statement, “a total of 8 Ship, 6 Gun boats and 3 helicopters including elements of the Nigerian Army and Maritime patrol Aircraft of the Nigerian Air force will be taking part in the Exercise. The ships and helicopters taking part in the exercise are: NNS Thunder,NNS Kyanwa, NNS Nwamba,NNS Obula,NNS Burutu, NNS Zaria, NNS Makurdi,NNS Andoni, 6x Gun Boat, Agusta Hel 07, Agusta He’ll 08, Agusta He’ll 09, 2x Nigerian Army Sections, and 1 Nigerian Air Force Maritime Patrol Aircrft (ATR 4)”
It said that the operational commander of the Exercise is vested on the Chief of the Naval staff Vice Admiral DJ Ezeoba who will be embarked on NNS THUNDER throughout the Exercise.
Huhuonline.com checks reveal that more than $7billion US dollars worth of crude oil was lost to theft in 2010. The illegal activities have not abated since then, prompting the directive from Mr President last month to the newly inaugurated Naval chief to stamp out oil theft in the region.
