The Nigeria Navy has vowed to deal with any militant group threatening to attack ships on Nigeria waters.
Shipping Position Daily had last week reported that a coalition of nine militant groups under the aegis of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, declared curfew on the entire Nigerian water ways from the Lagos waters to Bonny waters and to the Gulf of Guinea.
The coalition, in a statement had warned that any foreign vessel that refused to obey the directive from the RNDA is on its own and whatever happens to any of the vessels and the crew should be blamed on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Godswill Akpabio, and the head of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Mr Akwa Effiong Okon.
While threatening that with effect from last Friday, its strike force units in the nine states of the zone will kick start bombing and destruction of oil facilities, pipelines and major oil vessels and others coming from Lagos to the creek of Niger Delta.
But, reacting to the threat, a ship-owner and former President of Nigeria Indigenous Shipowner Association (NISA) Mr. Aminu Umar, expressed fear over the threat and called on the Nigeria Navy, the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)and the Marine Police to look into the threat.
He said, “everybody is concerned about the threat, particularly all the parties involved, cargo owners, ship owners, and the crew that are onboard too are getting scared, their families, nationalities and their government. So, really I must confess that we are concerned about it, but we hope Nigeria Navy, NIMASA and the Marine Police will put something together that will make it safe for every vessel that is coming to the Niger Delta, as you aware that there is a high level of kidnapping happening in that area” he said.
However, in a press statement issued last week, the Nigeria Navy cautioned those planning renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta region to desist or face decisive action from the Navy and military.
Field Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Real Admiral Saidu Garba, was said to have stated this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while fielding questions from journalists after the commissioning of housing projects at the Command.
He threatened that the military would deal decisively with anyone who threatens to attack oil vessels or undermines oil facilities and threatens Nigeria’s unity.
Garba, who represented the Special Guest of Honour and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas at the event, said the Nigeria Navy and other military formations were ready to deal with economic saboteurs.
“The Nigeria Navy in collaboration with the Nigeria military will deal with anyone who undermines the country’s unity. Specifically, destruction of oil and gas infrastructure is an economic sabotage.
“We advise anyone with such intentions should address their grievances with government and discuss a means of tackling the issues,” he said.
But, in a chat with our correspondent, a senior Naval officer (equivalent of a Major General) but who is not authorized to speak on the issue confirmed to our correspondent that politicians are behind the militant threat to attack vessels and oil facilities.
He said politicians use the militant as a way to scare the government to do their bidding, he however said the Nigeria Navy is well-equipped to stand against any militancy group.
According to him, “it is the people eyeing the appointment of NDDC Chairman that are behind this, and when one loses out, he will go and get some people as militant to attack or start issuing threat and we won’t allow that, militancy gained ground in the past because there were not enough arms, but now it’s a different ball game, we have acquired gun boats in sufficient quantity to be able to stand against any militancy group”
He added that, “in the last five years, Navy has taken over delivery of 300 gun boats; well-armed so we are ready to confront any militancy group that wants to hold the nation into ransom. In the first place what is the connection between militant and the appointment of NDDC chairman?” he questioned
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