Insecurity in waterways threat to socio-economic development, says Bayelsa government

Navy seizes 501 drums of AGO worth N35m in A’Ibom

The Bayelsa State Government has said that insecurity in the maritime environment poses a greater threat to the socio-economic development of the oil-rich state and the Niger Delta in general.

To this end, the government said it was ready to form a stronger synergy with the security agencies, including the Naval War College, in tackling the menace of sea robbery and other maritime criminality along the Bayelsa State waterways.The state government gave the assurance yesterday when the Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Adeseye Ayobanjo, led other senior officers of the college and the Course 3 participants on a courtesy visit to the state government.

Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), who received the team on behalf of Governor Seriake Dickson, said the state needed more Navy permanent bases in the riverine areas to curb the menace of increasing sea robbery and other maritime crime.He said the challenges of crime in the waterways would not stop over night but could be eradicated over time if operations are conducted and jointly planned by the various security agencies.

The commandant, who spoke earlier, said their visit was part of their course study with the theme “Combating sea robbery in Bayelsa State.”He said that the state study tour would help students appreciate what the state governments are doing in terms of tackling security challenges.

In another development, no fewer than 501 drums of illegal Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), worth N35 million, have been seized by the Nigerian Navy (NN), Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Council of Akwa Ibom State.The illegal deal was carried out by eight suspects.

The Acting Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Reginald Adoki, who spoke with journalists in Ibaka during the handing over of the suspects, said based on intelligence reports in the early hours of April 5, 2019, they intercepted the suspects converging the boat load of AGO brought in from Oyorokoto in Rivers State along the Calabar Channel leading to Oron River with three Yamaha outboard engines.

According to him, while the suspects and the goods of drums of AGO, wooden boat and outboard engines were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from their findings, the product contained inside the boat is suspected to be illegally-refined AGO (diesel).

However, Receiving the drums of AGO, eight suspects and other items from the Navy, However, Uyo Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Abdukarim Chukkoh, represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr. Alex Ebbah, who received the drums of AGO, eight suspects and other items from the Navy, commended the Command for doing a good job.