CNS Attributes Naval 70th Successes to Collective, Technology-Driven Fight Against Maritime Crimes

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has attributed successes recorded by the Nigerian Navy to collective, intelligence-driven approach to combat maritime crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, and illegal trafficking.

The navy Chief stated on Sunday during the inter-denominational Church service held at Nigerian Navy Protestant Church Navy Barrack Effurun, Delta State to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

The CSN who was represented at the church thanksgiving by Commodore Shehu Tasiu, Commander NNS Delta, said that the navy is heavily scaling up multi-agency cooperation and leveraging advanced surveillance.

In a goodwill message read by Navy Captain Daniel Beecroft, Executive Officer, NNS Delta, on behalf of Commodore Shehu Tasiu, the CSN urged personnel to uphold greater professionalism, discipline, and selfless service.

He said that the Navy is transitioning from reactive patrols to deploying high-tech surveillance systems and assets like Falcon Eye to monitor the Gulf of Guinea in real-time.

“Accordingly, the significant reduction in maritime insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea and Nigeria’s territorial waters is a testament to the resilience, courage and dedication of our personnel.

On inter-agency synergy, he expressed the commitment of the navy for closer intelligence sharing and synchronized operations with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

He acknowledged the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has enabled the acquisition of modern platforms and improved personnel welfare.

Abbas urged officers and ratings to remain steadfast and dedicated to protecting the nation’s maritime domain to ensure economic prosperity.

The naval Chief paid glowing tribute to fallen naval personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for all members of the Armed Forces who are currently deployed in various security operations across the country.

“As we continue to confront insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other security threats in defence of our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, may Almighty God continue to protect, strengthen and grant them success in all operations”, he added.

The service was officiated by the Base Chaplains, (Roman Catholic), Rev. Fr. (Lt.) Emmanuel Michael Uzochukwu and Rev. (Lt) Michael Efoli, (Protestant).

Quoting Exodus 17 vs 8-16, in his homily titled; “Secret of sustaining our collective victory and Prosperity”, Rev. (Lt) Michael Efoli, (Protestant), said that the 70th years of the navy existence call for sober reflection on “our collective achievement and prosperity”

“God has been on our side hence we are here to thank him. The bible passage is a reminder that victory is collective and as organisation we must continue to fight crime collectively and individually we’re winner.

“Like is a journey and in this journey battle are inevitable. Nigeria navy is on a journey. It will keep surviving and fighting and winning battle from generation to generation”.

He urged men and officers of the navy to do their collective best to sustain the commitment to the fight maritime crimes and secure the nations assets.

He urged officers to provide the loyalty needed to sustain the collective victory and prosperity for the Nigeria navy.

The urged the policy makers, men and officers of the navy to develop a working strategy to win every operation, saying that the lifting of the hands of Moses in the bible reading was a “strategy for victory”.

The cleric also urged them to develop a support system to achieve its set goals. He maintained that victory and prosperity can only be achieved when we depend on God.

He said that God understands the struggle and challenges that the Nigeria navy faced hence he should be trusted for the victories and prosperity recorded each day.

The clergyman urged navy personnel to build strategic relationships with the community they served and theit home state, urging “do not distance yourself from the people and do not use your vantage position to oppress the people”.