Navy reads riot act to criminal elements

.. embark on 15.7KM road walk in Rivers

Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, has warned oil thieves and trouble makers that it will not rest on its oars in stamping out all forms of criminalities, particularly crude oil theft, piracy, kidnapping, cultism and all crime related activities within it’s area of responsibility.

Commodore Desmond Igbo, Commander NNS Pathfinder, gave the warning shortly after he led officers and men of the Command on the Naval Quarterly Road March, round the streets of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital on Saturday.

The road march began at 6:00am as men and officers of the Nigerian Navy marched from the NNS Pathfinder Base down to Aker Junction and then moved to Ada George Road by Flyover, and marched back to the Base, making a round walk of over 15.7kilometre.

Igbo said NNS Pathfinder under his leadership has made tremendous achievements, particularly in the area of combating crude oil theft, sea robbery and other crimes in the first quarter of 2024.

According to him, the road march was imperative to keep officers and men physically and mentally fit, to be able to discharge their duties and face the enemy.

He said, “We have told them (criminal elements) time without number that we are ready for them and we are putting out a strong warning for them to desist from all forms of criminality especially oil theft to kidnapping, cultism, sea piracy.

“They (criminals) don’t have any option but to desist, and we don’t have any option than to disorganize them and chase them away from Niger Delta, and by the grace of God we will achieve that, because that is the mandate which the Chief of Naval Staff gave us to stamp out criminality in the Niger Delta, especially oil theft, pipeline vandalism and all other forms of criminality.”

The NNS Pathfinder boss further explained that the first quarter road march of the Nigerian Navy, was taking place simultaneously across every Naval Commands and Formations of the Nigerian Navy across the country.

“In the first quarter of 2024, we have made tremendous achievements so far, especially in the fight against crude oil theft, armed robbery, sea robbery, kidnapping, cultism and all forms of criminality, our men have been on top of their games and because they are healthy with their welfare taken care of by the Chief of Naval Staff.

“So this first quarter we have performed our national duty and constitutional role credibly well.”