THE Nigerian Navy has deployed one of its helicopters to the Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, to curb kidnapping, illegal refining of petroleum products and other crimes in the riverine communities.

The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy FOB, in Igbokoda, Captain Wasuku Alushi, said that the Navy chopper would help checkmate crimes in the mandate areas.

Captain Alushi said that the helicopter was deployed solely to extend the line of sight of surface assets by carrying out over-the-horizon targeting and passing useful information to surface assets.

He said: “That is why the helicopter has been deployed and it’s going to be in this environment until we can arrive at a reasonable conclusion as far as kidnapping and sea robbery is concerned in this area.”

Alushi recalled six weeks ago that a very large illegal refining site at Araromi Sea-Side was discovered which led to the clampdown on oil thieves adding that the move has positively improved crude oil production.

He said: “After the attack on the illegal refineries was launched as well as the arrest of MT VINNALARIS 1 Lagos, crude oil production in the area has steadily improved.

He said: “So, we have achieved so many successes in terms of curbing crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering as well as illegal refining of petroleum products.

“Following these successes, we discovered that the criminal elements have now shifted to kidnapping and sea robbery.

“You know there is a nexus between kidnapping, sea robbery, crude oil theft or illegal bunkering as they are all perpetrated by the same criminal cartel.

“Following the criminals’ switch to kidnapping, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, has directed that we initiate a fresh operation under the overall mandate of Operation Delta Sanity, to checkmate the rising cases of kidnapping and Sea robbery in FOB Igbokoda area of responsibility.

“Precisely last week, a serious water wave crime occurred between Idiogba and Awoye community where a petrol station attendant was kidnapped and an undisclosed amount of money was carted away by the criminal elements.

“Two days after, based on credible intelligence, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, FOB, Igbokoda, traced the water wave kidnappers to a location close to Abereke where a very important suspect was arrested with incriminating evidence, like ammunition in his possession.

“That suspect has been transferred to one of the security agencies for further interrogation and investigation.

“So far, he has been able to make some very useful revelations that would help us in planning for future operations.

“We will continue to track the kidnappers to ensure the rescue of the petrol attendant.

“We are here in furtherance of the mandate of Operation Delta Sanity.

“You will recall that about seven weeks ago, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Uchechukwu Ogala launched Operation Delta Sanity with the broad objective of sanitising Nigeria’s Maritime domain, particularly the Niger Delta of all maritime-related crimes especially crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities and so far, that operation has lived up to its expectation with verifiable evidence.

“I believe they have every cause to worry because we are going to smoke them out with the helicopter through our pictorial intelligence as well as other intelligence at our disposal.

“We will put everything together and plan a robust operation to ensure that sanity returns to the riverine communities, especially in terms of kidnappings and sea robbery. “We will always be there for them to ensure that they carry out their lawful activities in the maritime environment without intimidation from any quarter.”

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