The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has received one of the newly acquired warships code-named ‘NNS Centenary’ into the Eastern Naval Command, to beef up security in the zone.
Taking delivery of the Warship at the NNS jetty in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, the Naval Chief, accompanied by other officers of the force, disclosed that the warship was expected to aid the command to combat oil theft, sea piracy and other crimes in the waterways.
Speaking to reporters at the jetty, Mr Ibas maintained that “the bulk of resources that bring development comes from the sea”, thus the need for the newly acquired warship to sanitise the waters and keep it safe for travelers and for business.
He maintained that the ship had the capacity to carry helicopters and other vital instruments with the will to remain on the sea for two weeks.
The Vice Admiral sounded a note of warning to criminals to desist from their activities, as it would no longer be business as usual for them, considering its sophisticated nature.
The Naval Chief later met with officers and ratings of the command on his policy directive.
Mr Ibas has called for more funding to enable the Navy combat criminality on sea.
