Nigeria winning war against sea pirates, says CNS

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has stated that the Navy has reduced incessant attacks on merchant ships by pirates on the country’s territorial waters due to the deployment of several warships.

Ibas, who spoke yesterday in Onne, Rivers State, at the launch of an operation, codenamed Tsare Teku III, said the operation is a continuation of an earlier one launched in the first and second quarter of this year to tackle incessant attacks on merchant ships by sea pirates.

“In order to sustain the gains of the earlier operation for optimum performance and benefits, it has become imperative to extend it by another three months.

“It is instructive to note that attacks on shipping have substantially declined since the commencement of this operation, relative to what obtained between January and April this year, as only four attacks on shipping have been reported during the period, as compared to 45 incidences of piracy reported from January 16 to April 16.”

He disclosed that the operation was conceived to stem the rising wave of attacks on shipping and other criminality within Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly in the offshore areas.

Ibas said the operation would enable merchant ships move their cargoes freely, while sustaining protection of oil and gas installations for improved revenue for the country.