The Nigerian Navy has pledged to end crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, as well as drastically reduce the number of illegal refineries in the country before the end of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
   
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Gambo made the pledge in Abuja, during the fourth quarter route march of the Navy, which was also carried out across all formations in the country.
 
The route march exercise commenced from the Naval Unit, Asokoro, Abuja, through the AYA junction back to the base. Officers and Ratings of the Navy serving in Abuja and its environs in their numbers chanted motivational songs as they covered over 10 kilometres to keep personnel physically and mentally fit to confront security challenges.
 
Vice-Admiral Gambo, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear-Admiral Suleiman Garba, emphasised the importance of exercise to the military, stressing that  the Navy is being tasked with assisting in the forthcoming general election, which is to keep the peace and sanity of the society and ensure all eligible voters exercise their franchise.
 
On the rate of crime in the maritime environment, Vice-Admiral Gambo reiterated the determination of the Navy to ensure sanity is maintained, to keep the economy of the nation strong, and stop all forms of criminality in the maritime environment. He assured that the Navy would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure peace and development in all troubled spots across the country.