By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The Nigerian Navy have warned sea pirates and their sponsors to keep off the territorial waterways of Akwa Ibom and Rivers as it is committed to ensuring a safer maritime territory around the two states
The Commander, Nigerian Navy, NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom, Commodore Martins Fakrogha gave the warning when Executive members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists paid him a courtesy visit.yesterday at Ikot Abasi.
He said that the charge as handed to the Command by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla was to ensure a zero tolerance of any form of criminality on the nation’s waterways.
Fakrogha’s warning came on the heels of the reported criminal activities of sea pirates, who frequently carried out attacks, maimed and sometimes killed the fishermen on Akwa Ibom waterways and carted away thier valuables at gunpoint.
Promising to end menace, the commander warned that, “as a new sheriff is in town, sea pirates and their sponsors should be careful. When I catch them, I will deal with them in accordance with the law. We don’t take rubbish from anybody.
“Whoever they are getting their backing from will also not escape the full wrath of the law. This actually is coming as a directive from Chief of the Naval Staff who has told us that he has zero tolerance for any form of criminality in our waterways.”
The Commander, who regretted that the sea pirates live in the up land among the inhabitants, take care of thier businesses but go to high sea to rob unsuspecting fishermen and other maritime users, called on members of the public to volunteer information to enable officers of the Command to apprehend those involved in illegalitiee.
On the waterways, he said that the Command has mapped out strategies to unsettle the sea pirates and ensure that fishermen and others doing legitimate businesses on the waterways are protected.
Among the strategies, he said include regular patrol of the waterways, providing escorts to vessels doing businesses on the waterways on demand, routine stop and search of each vessel to ascertain what vessel is being used for as well as maintaining roburst collaboration with ship and boat owners for better surveillance on the sea.
He commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for their desire to partner the command and effectively propagate its activities.
“With this collaboration and this partnership, I want to believe that whenever we call you, you will please respond to us because from time to time, we will definitely call you.” Comdore Fakrogha assured.
Earlier, chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Bassey Anthony represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Isaiah Eka told the Commander that the visit was for members to familiarize with him, and foster a roburst working relationship with the Command.
