The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Commodore Martins Fakrogha, has warned personnel involved in aiding sea pirates and other criminals to be ready to be relieved of their duties.
Fakrogha issued the warning in an interview with journalists in Ikot Abasi where he admitted the involvement of military personnel in the illicit trade.
The commander however noted that such occurrences have reduced in the last six to nine months since the President Bola Tinubu-led administration assumed power.
He said, “I will simply say that in every twelve, there is a Judas. Yes, some personnel are complicit, but like I told you, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) has zero tolerance for any form of crude oil theft and even indiscipline.
“If you are part of it (oil theft), you are a bad egg amongst us, and we will fish you out and throw you out. Over the years, things like that have occurred, but in this regime, there hasn’t been any situation where an Officer was involved in such criminal activities.”
Similarly, the commander emphasized that the war against oil thieves, illegal bunkering and other oil sector fraud on the waterways have been intensified in line with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, whom he said has zero tolerance for crimes amongst his officers and men.
He said the Nigerian Navy would treat anyone engaged in criminal activities on its waterways as an economic saboteur.
“I will tell them that a new sheriff is in town. If anyone is caught, we will deal with him decisively and in accordance with the law.
“This is coming as a directive from the Chief of the Naval Staff, who has zero tolerance for any form of criminality in our waterways,” Fakrogha said.
Naval commander vows to dismiss officers involved in oil theft
