Chiemelie Ezeobi, who
reviewed the scorecard of the Nigerian Navy as it clocks 64 today,
writes that the force has come a long way from the colonial marine
department of the Royal Navy to one of the best navies in Africa,
which has primarily sustained its fight against maritime illegalities in
its waters and the Gulf of Guinea
With a coastline of about 420 nautical
miles (nm) and 200nm Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), translating to about
84,000 square nautical miles (nm), Nigeria’s maritime area of interest
includes the entire Gulf of Guinea (GoG )which is about 574,800 square
nm and spans a total coastline of about 2,874 nm.
However, the rich endowment of Nigeria’s maritime domain, its networks of oil and gas installations and associated shipping are threatened by maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, militancy and hostage taking.
Given that Nigeria relies on the sea for
about 90 per cent of its import and export with oil being a major part
of the trade, the thorny issue of insecurity in its maritime domain is
undeniably a major source of concern. These challenges are what the
Nigerian Navy (NN) under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff
(CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, are tackling one crime at a time.
History
According to Wikipedia, the origin of
the Nigerian Navy could be traced to the colonial marine department of
the Royal Navy. This department was established in 1887 as a
quasi-military organisation combining the duties of the present day
Nigerian Ports Authority, the Inland Water Ways and the modern day navy.
The colonial administration did not
consider it necessary to establish a proper navy, as they considered it
the duty of the Royal Navy to give naval protection to Nigeria and that
the Maritime Department was adequate to look after security of the ports
and coastal approaches as well as provide harbour services for Royal
Navy ships on West African patrols. This was the situation until the end
of the Second World War in 1945.
After the war, the colonial
administration preferred that emphasis be placed on port-related duties
for Marine Department. A proposal was then made to establish the
Nigerian Ports Authority. The officers of the Marine Department who were
Royal Navy Reserve officers did not give up on the idea of a navy and
continue to press for the establishment of a naval force.
Their efforts eventually led to the
1956 policy statement by the government for the establishment of a
Nigerian Naval Force (Sessional paper No.6 of 1956).
On 1 June 1956, the NNDF commenced
operations with 11 assorted ships and craft comprising two survey
vessels (PETREL and PATHFINDER), two training boats (DIGNITY and NYMPH),
one patrol craft (CHALLENGER), three VIP boats (VALIANT and FRANCES
with her Launch), one tug (TROJAN) and one general purpose launch
(JADE).
Similarly, on 1 August 1956, the first
naval legislation was passed by the House of Representatives and was
assented to on September 5, 1956 by Sir James Robertson, the Governor
General. It was called the Nigerian Navy Ordinance.
The NNDF as a result of the
legislation was designated the Royal Nigerian Navy. In 1963, when
Nigeria became a republic, the prefix “Royal” was dropped and the name
became Nigerian Navy (NN). The Ordinance that set up the NN had several
limitations, the principal one among them was the limitation placed on
the Navy to patrol only three nautical miles, which was the limit of the
territorial waters.
The shortcomings were corrected by the
post independence Navy Act of 1964. This Act removed the principal
limitation of the NN to the country’s territorial waters. In these early
years, the NN had only a few patrol boats but has now grown
significantly into a multi-mission maritime arm of the Nigerian Armed
Forces with various wartime and peacetime roles.
Tripartite Role
With its establishment, the NN,
according to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 is charged with the territorial defence
of Nigeria by sea. Its tripartite roles cover the full spectrum of
military, policing and diplomatic functions.
Under these spectrum, its roles include
enforcing and assisting in coordinating the enforcement of all customs,
immigration, bunkering, fishery protection and pollution laws
(coastguard duties), including enforcement of all national and
international maritime laws ascribed to or acceded to by Nigeria.
Its roles are backed by the Armed Forces
Act which charged the NN to enforce and assist in coordinating the
enforcement of all national and international maritime laws ascribed or
acceded to by Nigeria. Other duties include making of charts and
coordinating national hydrographic surveys as well as promoting,
coordinating and enforcing safety regulations in the territorial waters
and the EEZ of Nigeria.
Past Icons of the Navy
Often referred to as Icons of the Navy,
the past list of of CNS since the inception of the NN includes Captain
FW Skutil, who was CNS from 1956 to 1958 and Commodore AR Kennedy who
held the helm of affairs from 1958 to 1964. Others were Vice Commodore
JEA Wey from 1964 to 1973; Vice Admira NB Soroh, from 1973 to 1975 and
Vice Admiral MA Adelanwa from 1975 to 1980.
Not left out were Vice Admiral AA Aduwo
from 1980 to 1893; Vice Admiral AA Aikhomu from 1984 to 1986; Vice
Admiral Patrick Koshini from 1986 to 1990; Vice Admirak Murtala Nyako
from 1990 to 1992; Vice Admiral DPE Omotsola from 1992 to 1993; Rear
Admiral S. Sa’idu who was appointed in 1993 and removed same year.
Others after his include Rear Admiral AA
Madueke from 1993 to 1994; Rear Admiral OM Akhigbe from 1994 to 1998;
Vice Admiral J. Ayinla from 1998 to 1999; Vice Admiral VK Ombu from 1999
to 2001; Vice Admiral SO Afoloyan from 2001 to 2005; Vice Admiral GTA
Adekeye from 2005 to 2008 and Vice Admiral II Ibrahim from 2008 to 2010.
Ibrahim was succeeded by Vice Admiral OS
Ibrahim from 2010 to 2012; Vice Admiral DJ Ezeoba took over in 2012 and
handed over to Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin in 2013. In 2015, Vice Admiral
Ibok Ete Ibas took over as the 20th Chief of the Naval Staff.
Navy at 64
Over the years, the navy has grown from a
mere marine department to a fighting force that is capable of
withstanding external and internal threats to Nigeria’s territorial
integrity. This year, exactly on this day, the navy marked its 64th
anniversary.
As part of activities to mark the milestone, the
Nagy reviewed its celebration in line
with the current COVID-19 Pandemic. On the first day of the week-long
celebration, all ships were dressed overall from Monday, May 25 to
Monday June 1,2020.
The navy also distributes palliatives
and donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to their host
communities. This took place last Thursday and Friday. Today, the NN
will commission a COVID-19 Isolation Centre in Lagos with a view to
supporting the FG’s fight against COVID-19 Pandemic. Lastly, a modified
and highly restricted Ceremonial Sunset will also be held at command
level on Monday, 1 June 2020 to mark the end of the week-long
activities of the NN 64th Anniversary.
In a briefing to mark the year,
the Chief of Policy and Plans (CPPLANS), Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed,
recapped the successes recorded by the navy, especially in the last five
years that the present Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete
Ekwe Ibas, has been at the helm of affairs.
Policy Thrust
On assumption of office in 2015,
Mohammed said the CNS placed a high premium on operational availability
of ships, training and motivation of personnel. In fulfillment of the
operational availability of ships, with the help of the federal
government, the navy has taken delivery of numerous ships including
recent acquisitions of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Seaward Defence
Boats, patrol crafts and training ships as well as helicopter.
To man and operate these
high value assets, he said the NN parades crops of professionally
competent personnel, who are given qualitative training, both locally
and abroad on regular basis.
According to Mohammed, the
NN personnel undergo professional military education and most of the
courses being run at the training schools and colleges, are given
requisite accreditation for improved performance of the under training
officers and ratings.
Additionally, he said the NN
training schools are being affiliated with tertiary institutions and
relevant professional schools as well as bodies in the Country. The NN
also benchmarks training in line with international best practices for
the enhanced maintenance and operations of the Fleet. These have
assisted in no small measure, the building of further capacity and human
resource development.
As regards manpower generation, the NN
in the last five years, commissioned a total of 944 officers and
enlisted 7,465 ratings. Currently, 1,226, who have completed basic
training are scheduled to join the Fleet shortly while another set
comprising 1,250 trainees, will commence training at the NN Basic
Training School, thereafter.
Furthermore, he said the NN has
equally reinvigorated its welfare programmes to further motivate
personnel. The development and welfare of NN personnel is a core aspect
of NN administration. Overtime, the NN has sustained existing efforts
and also put in place new schemes to improve personnel welfare. Some of
the NN welfare schools have also been rehabilitated, with new schools
being built at both primary and post primary levels.
Also, he noted that NN has set up
various loan schemes to assist personnel achieve their personal goals.
These include the Nigerian Navy Microfinance Bank, Nigerian Navy
Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Navy Exchange and Welfare Loan amongst
others. For housing of personnel, construction of barracks
accommodation and renovation works are ongoing in all naval
establishments, adding that all these have enhanced productivity with
resultant improved operational efficiency of the NN.
Operational Achievements
In terms of operational achievements,
Mohammed said the NN over the years has been focused on capacity
development in order to improve maritime security in Nigerian waters,
and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). The maritime threats that have significant
effects in Nigeria’s maritime environment are piracy/sea robbery, crude
oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, smuggling, Illegal Unreported and
Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), insurgency, hostage taking, human and drug
trafficking.
He said: “In order to combat these
threats, the NN adopted the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS) to
guide its operational engagements. The strategy is based on a proactive
layered response to 5 conflict spectrums characterised by distances to
and from the coast.
“Within the last five years, the NN
conducted and also participated in over 60 exercises and operations.
Pertinently, 35 major exercises and operations were game changers. Some
of the game changers are Ex TSARE TEKU, Ex EAGLE EYE, Op RIVER SWEEP, Op
CALM WATERS and Op SWIFT RESPONSE geared towards combating illicit
activities in Nigeria’s territorial waters especially the back waters.
“Some combined Exercises such as Ex
OBANGAME EXPRESS, Ex NEMO and Op JUNCTION RAIN were conducted in
collaboration with regional and international navies and other maritime
stakeholders for the good governance, law and order in the GoG.”
Acquisition of Platforms
In order to enhance response capability,
the CPPLANS noted that within the period under review, the NN
acquired three capital ships. These are NNS UNITY (an OPV), a new
survey vessel and a Landing Ship Tank (LST). The survey vessel is
expected to join the fleet before the end of the year while the LST
would join in 2021.
Furthermore, 11 River Town Class boats were acquired. Out of these, seven have been
inducted into the NN fleet namely NNS NGURU, SHIRORO, EKULU, OSE,
GONGOLA, CALABAR and OSUN, while four more are programmed to join the
fleet later this year.
He said: “Additionally,
in the last five years, the NN also invested in local content
development through the local construction of Seaward Defence Boats
(SDB). The second locally built SDB, NNS KARADUWA was commissioned in
2016 while her sister ship, a third locally built SDB is programmed to
join the service this year.
“In an effort to boost
operations, 12 Manta Class boats and Inshore Patrol Craft were acquired
and will be inducted into the fleet, this year. For riverine operations,
the service took delivery of 148 River Patrol boats, with
another 24 expected in the later part of 2020. Thirty six Rigid
Inflatable Boats were also procured, with another batch of 56 programmed
for delivery in 2020 ending.
“The renewed emphasis on fleet
renewal under the able leadership of V Adm IE Ibas was further
underscored with the acquisition of three Whaler boats that are also
expected to join the fleet this year. Other acquisitions under this
ambitious fleet renewal effort are the acquisition and deployment
of 11 houseboats for the Choke Point Management and Control operations.
“One houseboat is also expected to be
deployed in 2020. One tug boat has been inducted into the service
while two others are expected to join the fleet in 2020.
Similarly, one water barge and one fuel barge are expected in 2020. The
NN equally committed enormous resources to equipment availability to
support its operations.
“Accordingly, the NN took delivery of a
total of 168 outboard engines with requisite spares. As part of the
Ministry of Defence’s critical intervention, the NN just took delivery
of one Leonardo AW139 helicopter and is currently being inducted.
“In support of FGN policy on local
content, the NN engaged local companies such as Messrs Epenal, TUWASCO,
HABTOB and Sewa to build platforms for the Service. This has not only
enhanced local content development but facilitated capacity building in
Nigeria’s maritime industry.”
Anti Piracy Operations
According to the CPPLANS, the NN
instituted dedicated operations and initiatives to enhance its policing
capability towards the peaceful use of the nation’s maritime
environment. These initiatives, he noted have engendered several
recorded successes in the operations of the bases.
For instance, 2016 which recorded the
highest piracy attacks in the past five years recorded 70 incidents of
piracy attacks. Out of these, 51 were successful while 19 were
unsuccessful. Also, in 2017, there were 48 piracy related cases out of
which 27 were successful while in 2018, there were 36 reported cases and
only nine successful.
Furthermore, in 2019, 21 piracy related
cases were reported and only seven of these attacks were successful. As
at 20 May 2020, there were nine pirate attacks of which only 2 were
successful and seven unsuccessful.
With the above statistics, Mohammed
said it is evident the rate of successful pirate attacks has been on the
decline from 2016 – 2019. “The success rate of pirate attacks which was
72.86 per cent in 2016 decreased to 56.25 per cent in 2017. However, in
2018, the success rate of pirate attacks decreased to 25 per cent. The
seven successful pirate attacks out of 21 reported piracy cases in 2019
denotes a considerable reduction in reported cases of pirate attacks
may be adjudged to override the percentage increase in the rate of
successful pirate attacks in 2019.
“It is worthy to mention that in May,
June, September, October and November 2019, no piracy related incident
occurred in the Nigeria’s maritime space, a feat that attracted the
commendation of the International Maritime Bureau.
“This is attributed to NN increased
number of hours and sustained presence at sea. Last month on April 18,
2020, the NN rescued 11 crew men onboard a Portuguese flagged container
ship, MV TOMMI RITSCHER that was attacked by pirates in the Republic of
Benin waters. More recently, the NN recorded a remarkable achievement
in anti-piracy operations in the rescue of a fishing vessel, MV
HAILUFENG II which was hijacked off the coast of Cote D’Ivoire on May
15, 2020. The feat further demonstrated our capability and brings to
fore the leadership role of the NN in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf
of Guinea.
“The improvement in Nigeria’s
maritime security due to anti-piracy operations was attested to by the
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, who stated that
the increase in maritime activities is evident in the 10,673 vessel
calls at Nigerian Ports with a gross registered tonnage of over 329
million between 2016 and 2018”, he added.
Anti-Crude Oil Theft Operations
The NN performed credibly well in the
fight against COT and illegal oil bunkering through ops conducted by ops
bases and FOBs within the period under review.
According to information provided by
Mohammed, the bases cumulatively destroyed a total of 2,287 illegal
refineries between 2015 -2019. These activities, he said were
complemented with series of swamp buggy operations in the areas were
illegal refineries were discovered.
He said the breakdown of the destroyed
illegal refineries from 2015 to 2019 shows that in 2015, about 140
illegal refineries were destroyed and 128 illegal refining sites in
2016. “However, in 2017, a total of 1,218 illegal refineries were
destroyed, while 383 and 418 illegal refining sites were destroyed in
2018 and 2019 respectively.
“From records, 2017 recorded the
highest number of illegal refining sites destroyed. This figure
decreased in 2018 and later increased slightly in 2019. The reduction
in the number of illegal refining sites destroyed from 2017 – 2019 could
be attributed to the ongoing swamp buggy operations in the Niger Delta
which makes it difficult for perpetrators to reactivate destroyed
illegal refining sites”.
The NN also recorded successes in
anti-COT and illegally sourced petroleum product which has reduced
illegal oil dealings within the Nigerian maritime environment from
2017-2019.
Citing instances he said: ”In 2017, the
NN denied criminal oil entrepreneurs dealing on illegal oil about
218,057 barrels of crude oil valued at about N3,724,413,560 and
60,553,415 litres of AGO valued at N11,807,915,925. Similarly, in 2018,
illegal oil dealings of about 295,028 barrels of crude oil valued at
about N5,039,078,240 and 23,991,325 litres of AGO valued
at N4,678,308,375 were denied the criminal oil entrepreneurs by the NN.
“In the same vein, in 2019, the NN
denied criminal oil entrepreneurs dealing on illegal oil 296,192 barrels
of crude oil valued at about N5,058,959,360 and 42,729,530 litres of
AGO valued at N8,332,258,350. It is evident that the number of barrels
and ltrs of crude oil and AGO denied the criminal oil entrepreneurs by
the NN increased from 2017-2019. This could be attributed to the
increased effort of the Ops Bases and TOPs Branch sensitisation and
directives to all Bases on zero tolerance to COT and illegal bunkering
activities.
“The reduction in the number of
illegal refineries located since 2018 is attributable to the success of
Op RIVER SWEEP, which resulted in the impounding of
approximately 9,406,810 barrels of crude oil, 130,517,570 litres of
AGO, 897,475 litres of PMS and 3,407,500 litres of DPK from 2017 to 20
May 2020. The yearly details of the products impounded are as shown on
the screen.”
Anti-Smuggling Operations
According to Mohammed, in the area of
anti-smuggling operations, OPS SWIFT RESPONSE and CALM WATERS resulted
in the arrest of a total of 82 smuggling boats and 22 vehicles
cumulatively laden with a total of 61,719 bags of rice.
He said a total of 449 suspected
smugglers were arrested and their boats with products were handed over
to Nigeria Customs Service for further action. These achievements he
added, also reinforce NN drive towards eradicating rice smuggling in
support of the FG policy on local rice production.
Increased Maritime Domain Awareness
In this regard, the CPPLANS said the NN carries out round the clock surveillance of
Nigeria’s maritime space using the
Regional and Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and Falcon Eye
facilities in addition to the use of vessels and helicopters.
He said: “The NN has 24Maritime Domain
Awareness (MDA) Centres located across the Nigerian coastline. Due to
their availability, NN patrols are now more mission oriented with
attendant reduction in operational logistic costs.
The infrastructure has been instrumental in several rescue operations.
“For instance, the MDA infrastructure
was instrumental to the rescue of the crew of the Bristow helicopter
that crashed in Lagos on 3 Feb 16 and many other classified operations.”
Increased Collaboration
“The NN recognises the centrality of
collaboration with other maritime nations and international maritime
agencies for successful maritime security operations. Accordingly, it
holds regular international conferences and sea exercises with navies of
other nations and major maritime stakeholders for the purpose of
capacity building, intelligence and information sharing.
“For instance, the NN successfully
hosted International Maritime Conference and Regional Maritime Exercise
in 2016 and 2018 and would have hosted the 2020 edition but for the
COVID-19 Pandemic. These have led to shared responsibilities with
improved international and regional cooperation and synergy of efforts
in tackling the myriad of challenges in Nigerian maritime environment.
“A critical achievement in terms of
collaboration during the period under review is the operationalisation
of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) on Arrest,
Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons in Nigeria’s Maritime
Environment,” Mohammed disclosed.
Hydrographic Successes
Finally, the NN also recently
recorded another operational milestone as the second indigenous
navigational chart of some parts of Nigerian waters was produced by the
Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO). The new chart covers parts of
Badagry Creek, from Ogunkobo, through Navy Town and Mile 2 to Tin-Can
Island in Lagos waters. Work on the chart started in 2019. With the
completion of the chart, the NNHO has commenced work on its electronic
version which will be forwarded to the International Centre for
Electronic Navigational Charts for validation and release.
Although these operations have contributed in enhancing maritime security with significant economic gains, it is imperative to sustain and possibly improve the level of security in order to optimise the potentials in the nation’s maritime domain.
Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/06/01/nigerian-navy-at-64-a-sustained-fight-against-maritime-crimes/
