New Chief of Naval Staff assumes office, vows to end crude oil theft, illegal refining

The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has assumed office with a promise to intensify efforts to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining, sea robbery, piracy and other maritime crimes.

Ogalla took over the mantle of leadership from his predecessor retired Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, as the 22 indigenous Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) at a handing and taking over ceremony held at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

Nothing that piracy and crude oil theft among other maritime crimes constitute threats not just to the nation’s maritime security, but also to economic stability and national development, Ogalla assured that the Navy under his leadership would improve it capabilities to ensure the safety of the nation’s maritime domain.

Speaking, he said, “The task ahead of us is challenging. We continually face significant threats such as crude oil theft, prevalence of illegal refineries, Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy, sea robbery, piracy, various forms of trafficking and other maritime crimes. These are not just threats to our maritime security, but also to our economic stability and national development. But let me be clear: We are committed to tackling these security challenges head-on. We will intensify our efforts to curb crude oil theft and put an end to illegal refining. We will enhance our capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain.”

Ogalla, while thanking the former Chief of Naval Staff for the significant achievements recorded by the Navy under his leadership in addressing maritime insecurity solicits the cooperation of all personnel in ensuring the success of the Navy and to transform the nation’s maritime domain into a safer, more secure, and prosperous space for socio economic activities to thrive.

“I firmly believe that navigating the challenges of maritime security is a journey, not a destination. It will therefore require our unwavering commitment, steadfast resolve, and collective effort. With an ever-evolving mindset, continuous dedication to professionalism, fervent drive towards innovation, and an undying spirit of teamwork, I am confident that we can transform our maritime domain into a safer, more secure, and prosperous space for socio economic activities to thrive in fulfillment of our constitutional mandate.

“To achieve this, I solicit the cooperation of all personnel. Each one of us has a crucial role to play in ensuring the success of our Navy and I am confident that with our collective efforts as exemplified by our motto Onward Together, we can overcome these challenges. I urge you all to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication in your duties. Together, we will write a new chapter in the illustrious history of the Nigerian Navy and build a Navy that is second to none, a Navy that our nation can be proud of,” he said.

Earlier in his valedictory speech, Gambo,
said the Navy under his leadership evolved more stringent operations concepts and strategies to tackle the devastating impacts of piracy, sea robbery, proliferation of illegal refinery, crude oil theft, destruction of critical oil and gas infrastructure as well as kidnapping, hijack and attack on security forces.

He said, “To this end, we heightened our commitment to anti-piracy operations, anti-crude oil theft operations, choke point operations as well as riverine and swamp operations. To give impetus to this resolve, we embarked on massive fleet renewal, robust logistics management, acquisition of additional platforms, human capital enhancement and holistic infrastructural development and effective collaboration with local and international partners.

“Our determination to face the several maritime security challenges would have been weakened if not for the immense support we received from the various quarters.”

Gambo who expressed gratitude to the personnel for their dedication, professionalism and teamwork urged them to extend the same cooperation he received to the new CNS for greater achievements of the Navy saying, “I am leaving you in the hands of a capable Chief of the Naval Staff.”