In the waters of Nigeria, the Nigerian Navy has taken into custody over 35 vessels engaged in illicit oil activities.
At a gathering of maritime stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, disclosed this information.
Ogalla mentioned that the captured vessels have been handed over to the appropriate legal authorities for further action.
Since January, the Navy has revamped its strategies and launched Operation Delta Sanity to maintain maritime security operations through surveillance, rapid response capabilities, law enforcement, and cooperation with all maritime stakeholders.
Assuring stakeholders, Ogalla reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s dedication to fulfilling its mandated responsibilities in establishing a secure maritime environment to promote the nation’s economic prosperity.
He also expressed the Navy’s commitment to ensuring its operations do not hinder legitimate business operations but rather facilitate optimal performance for operators.
“Enhancing security is crucial for improving the business environment because without security, operational activities are compromised,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of ensuring that arrests and detentions made by the Navy do not interrupt lawful business operations, emphasizing a balance between enforcement and business support.