A GROUP, Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies (PSNAFSA), yesterday, applauded the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for his remarkable achievements in his 29 months in office.

Convener of the group, Mary Fatile, in a statement, pointed out that the former naval boss, while in service, built a virile and responsive force capable of safeguarding the nation’s maritime.
  
PSNAFSA further noted that the Navy achieved several commendable milestones under Gambo’s watch, ranging from recapitalisation and strengthening collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
 
Other remarkable achievements are the delivery of new hydrographic survey vessel, NNS LANA, and a new warship, NNS KADA, as well as signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Refit and Remodelling of Nigeria’s flagship, NNS ARADU, and placing an order for two high- endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVS) from Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey.
 
“The first Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) of the Navy since 2010 was held in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, during which two ships and a new helicopter were inducted into service.
 
“He vigorously tackled oil theft through the launch of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, considered as the biggest anti-oil theft military operation in the history of Nigeria, with the deployment of 40 warships, 200 gunboats, five helicopters among other assets,” PSNAFSA stated.
  
The group added that, in the first year Gambo assumed office, the operation recorded the seizure of 728,000 barrels of crude oil, 44.5 million litres of illegally-refined diesel, 2.46 million litres of kerosene, valued at over N71 billion, among other achievements.

Wishing the erstwhile CNS well in his future endeavours, it stressed that such transformational records put in place by the former naval boss should be sustained for the country’s prosperity.