The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has said that some security personnel were colluding with criminals to sabotage the efforts of the security agencies.
The CNS accused the operatives of conniving with miscreants to engage in illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft.
Speaking during the decoration of newly promoted 18 rear admirals in Abuja, Ibas warned that such unholy alliance would be met with stiff sanctions.
He said as leaders, the senior officers were expected to be above board and ensure that their subordinates equally buy into the “zero-tolerance stance of the NN against all forms of illegalities and criminalities at sea and ashore.”
The CNS noted, “The Navy in collaboration with other security agencies have continuously striven to protect the economic mainstay of the country through various operations to counter illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft.
“While there are significant achievements in the fight against these maritime crimes, there are a pocket of personnel colluding with criminals to sabotage these efforts.
“Let me, therefore, warn that any act of collusion with criminals or sabotage of measures employed to checkmate illegalities will be met with stiff sanctions in accordance with the law of the land.”
The CNS, however, reminded them that while it takes hard work to reach a glorious height, it also takes a hard work to remain there.
“I therefore, unreservedly congratulate you all and urged you all to justify the confidence of a proud and deserving nation.”
He noted that year 2020 undoubtedly witnessed significant disruption in all facets of our national lives, with the armed forces now more than ever required to play more significant roles in ensuring security and prosperity of the country.
Ibas said as such, the service and indeed, the country required them to be more dedicated and display unalloyed loyalty to the President to address the myriad of security challenges plaguing the country.
“Your ingenuity, resourcefulness and integrity will be required as senior officers to reposition the service to enable it discharge its constitutional role for the security and prosperity of the country.
The CNS explained that the service in collaboration with other security agencies had continously strived to protect the economic mainstay of the country.
This, he said, was made possible through various operations to counter illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft in the country.
He, however, urged them as leaders in the service to always be above board and ensure that their subordinates equally buy into the zero tolerance of the service against all forms of illegalities/criminalities at sea and ashore.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.), reminded the new naval rear admirals that their promotion comes with hard work, greater responsibilities and expectations.
“With this promotion, you will be expected to filter and perfect critical decisions into workable solutions to the numerous security challenges confronting the nation,” he admonished.
I’m pleased to note that the officers decorated have strived hard to meet these requirements and remained true to their professional calling to weather the storm of career progression.”
Magashi, however, reminded them that promotion comes with much greater expectations and responsibilities in the discharge of duties, as such, they should be prepared for a big task.
“As you know, the service operating environment and the nation at large is rife with daunting security challenges including resource theft and the sabotage of critical oil/gas supporting infrastructure.
“Your elevation to the 2-star flag rank is therefore, a call for you to redouble efforts and contribute your quota to the service resolve to rid the nation’s maritime domain of any form criminalities.”
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