Navy Decorates 18 New Rear Admirals, As CNS Reveals Manhunt For Officers Colluding With Oil Thieves, Illegal Bunkerers

Following the decoration of 18 newly promoted Rear Admirals of the Nigerian Navy in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas has disclosed that the Navy is on a manhunt for a pocket of, or group of personnel who are colluding with criminals to sabotage efforts at tackling the menace of illegal bunkering and crude oil theft in the country.

Thus, the CNS warned that any act of collusion with criminals or sabotage of measures to checkmate illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain will be met with stiff sanctions in accordance with the laws of the land.

Vice Admiral Ibas said this during the decoration of the officers, adding that, “the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with other security agencies have continuously strived to protect the economic mainstay of the country through various various operations to counter illegal bunkering and crude oil theft in the country.”

He continued: “As leaders of the service, you are expected to be above board and ensure that your surbordinates equally buy into the zero tolerance of the Nigerian Navy against all forms of illegalities and criminalities at sea and ashore.”

“I must add that this ceremony particularly resonates deeply with the Nigerian Navy, at it provides a special opportunity to acknowledge the tireless support availed the service by government” he said, saying, “Such encouragement has bolstered gains in critical areas like manpower development, fleet renewal and infrastructural development which have impacted positively on operational service delivery and the nation’s strategic posture at sea.”

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