Naval Chief Vows To Flush Out Personnel Involved In Oil Theft, Criminality

• Says the military is poised to end insecurity in the country 

The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, has vowed to fish out and deal decisively with any of its personnel found colluding with economic saboteurs, drug traffickers/barons, bandits and kidnappers to perpetrate their nefarious acts.

He said the Nigerian Navy had introduce policies and measures to sanction personnel who showed signs of laziness and ineptitude during service while promising to reward those involved in acts of gallantry, professionalism and excellence in service to the nation. 

Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, spoke on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during his familiarization of the Central Naval Command as he continue his tour of Naval formations in the country.

While warning personnel to avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Navy, he noted that despite the facts that the Nigerian Navy is expanding in operations and adopting more decentralization of administration to principal staff, the Navy will not hesitate to drop principal staff founding wanting in handling responsibilities.

He said the Nigerian Navy has hit the ground running in fulfilment of the Presidential order to all security chiefs and formation to reverse the worrisome security situation in the country with visits to all Naval formations and assessing the readiness to tackle such security challenges.

He said, “Nigerians are not patient and they want quick action and now now. We have started and hit the ground running.”

He also unveiled the new policy under his administration to include the improvement of the nation’s maritime domain in line with Presidential order.

“Professionalism is needed and good conduct must be upheld alongside discipline and integrity. While efforts are being made to improve welfare, I shall not hesitate to review values and contributions of every personnel in the line of duty.”

“As officers you are expected to know your responsibilities and expectations in the service to our nation. Discipline means the foundation of military service.

“While effort is being being made to improve on the welfare of all personnnel, I shall  continue to monitor your activities and evaluate your performance  in determining your continued relevance.

“Accordingly, gentlemen I shall not hesitate to relieve any one of his appointment of his office if found wanting.”

He also promise to improve the maintenance capacity of the Nigerian Navy and frowned at the non-optimal use of technical officers of the navy noting that civilian technicians are used for navy repairs instead of the technical personnel doing the needed jobs.

In his remark, the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Real Admiral Kennedy Egbuchulam, said the Central Naval Command has resolve to work tirelessly towards accomplishment of set goals. 

He said, it was evident that the prevailing security situation in the country calls for new and adaptive skills to solve due to the ever-changing strategies of criminal elements who are bent on destabilizing the country.