The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo have
said that the Nigerian Navy is ready to establish an outpost at Ikang and a
naval security station at Dayspring Island.
The two locations are in Bakassi Local Government Area of
Cross River State. The Bakassi Local Government shares maritime boundaries with
the Republic of Cameroon.
Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy call on the state
governor, Professor Ben Ayade at the Executive Chamber of the Governor's
Office, Calabar, Vice Admiral Gambo revealed that the notion to establish
operational bases in the state is because of the security challenges caused by
cult activities and increase in kidnappers.
"Because we are aware of the security situation in the
state - cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements- and to that effect,
it has been part of our strategic plan and I think it is expedient that
speedily we establish outpost and security station in these locations so that
we can improve our security architecture in the state and of course, secure our
borders and around the Republic of Cameroon.” He said.
He also assured the governor of the commitment of the
Nigerian Navy to the security of the Cross River State and Nigeria at large.
"We have to keep our eyes open and to ensure that Cross
River State and Nigeria at large is secured from that angle.”
"We want to reassure you of the availability of the
Nigerian Navy; we are at your service to ensure that Cross River State and her
good people are safe and secured for economic prosperity and development” He said
"I want to inform you, Your Excellency, of the ongoing
general operations in the creeks around the state to ensure we rid it of all
criminal elements; the cultists, the kidnappers and all that to make sure it is
safe for maritime business to thrive since Cross River is a littoral state.
Gambo added that the Navy will also partner with other
agencies to secure the good people of Cross River State
"In that regard, we are also collaborating with other
agencies the Army, the Airforce and of course, the police and other security
agencies in the state to ensure that the waterways are safe and secure for the
prosperity of the good people of Cross River State" he said.
Continuing, Vice Admiral Gambo who said he was on an operational
and administrative visit to Cross River expressed optimism that the Naval War
College being built in Calabar will be ready for commissioning next year.
Responding, Governor Ayade commended the Navy for its
security efforts in Cross River so far, which according to him, have "kept
us out of the way of harm particularly knowing the complex nature of Cross
River's location vis a vis maritime security challenges.
“Very recently NNS Victory had undertaken several operations
and I want to thank NNS Victory for their efforts in clearing out those bad
boys from the creeks. Indeed, that has helped.”
Reacting, Governor Ben Ayade appreciated the Naval Chief for
the proposed Naval operational bases at Ikang and Dayspring Island and described
the development as a smart move to secure people of the area from criminal
elements.
However, he appealed to the Navy to also establish a base
around Esighi where the Bakassi Deep Seaport project is sited.
"We will need a strong naval presence, we will need a
naval patrol across the entire length and breadth of our maritime domain.” He
said.
He pledged to sign the Certificate of Occupancy for the
ongoing construction of Naval facilities in Calabar as pleaded by Vice Admiral
Gambo.
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