Anti-piracy bill to tackle oil theft, illegal refining—Defence Chief

The Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, has said the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime offences bill recently assented by President Muhammadu Buhari would tackle challenges of sea piracy, crude oil theft and illegal refining, among others.

Olonisakin noted that the country and the entire Gulf of Guinea have in recent years faced asymmetric and emerging security threats emanating from insurgent groups, militants and economic saboteurs. He, however, re-assured Nigerians that the anti-piracy bill would bolster security operations in the country, curtail excesses of miscreants and entrench the needed peace, security and development.

The Defence Chief stated this, yesterday, during the passing out parade of 112 newly commissioned officers that undertook the Midshipmen Course of NDA RC 66 cadets and others at the Nigerian Naval College, Onne, Rivers State.

Olonisakin said security challenges in the country have warranted critical operational and security engagements of the armed forces across different theatres. He pointed out that winning the war against insurgents requires developing appropriate knowledge, skills and attitude through on-the-job training onboard and ashore, as well as pragmatic training in all naval training institutions.