Sea Robbery: Navy Tackles Small Boats In C’ River, Akwa Ibom

The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy says it is focusing on activities of smaller passenger boats to tackle robbery activities on the waterways in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Flag Officer Commanding, ENC, Rear Admiral Obiora Medani, made this disclosure after inspecting a parade to mark the end of the second bi-annual inspection of units under his command.

The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy says it is focusing on activities of smaller passenger boats to tackle robbery activities on the waterways in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Flag Officer Commanding, ENC, Rear Admiral Obiora Medani, made this disclosure after inspecting a parade to mark the end of the second bi-annual inspection of units under his command.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ajjampur Ghanashyam, led a delegation to inspect the Nigeria Navy Referral Hospital in Calabar, with the view to developing the facility to medical tourism destination.
Medani, who addressed officers and ratings of the command at the Nigeria Navy Ship Victory parade ground, charged commanders of operational bases to improve on their operations to curtail the ability of sea robbers who attack local passenger and trading boats between Oron and Calabar.
He said, “I am fully aware that sea robbers have picked on the helpless  passenger and trading boats because our convoy operations have deprived them of the opportunity to rob oil service vessels and international ferries.
“We must therefore refocus our operational efforts to protect local passenger and trading boats along the Calabar and Akpa Yafe rivers despite the challenges of platforms and logistics.”
Speaking on developments at the referral hospital, Medani disclosed that the Navy invited the delegation from India to help set up excellent hospital likened to that in their country.
He said the 100 capacity bed hospital might be expanded in due course when it becomes fully operational.
However, the Indian High Commissioner said the delegation from India had opened discussion with the Navy, expressing optimism that the discussion would be fruitful.
According to Ghanashyam, the idea of developing the referral hospital to a medical tourism hub would attract multinationals to Calabar.