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Tag: Niger Delta security

  • Nigerian Navy Pledges Support for 2.5 Million Barrels Daily Oil Production Target

    Nigerian Navy Pledges Support for 2.5 Million Barrels Daily Oil Production Target

    The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s goal of increasing crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027 through enhanced maritime security and inter-agency collaboration in the Niger Delta.

    Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, made the pledge during a courtesy visit by members of the United Correspondents Chapel (UCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State Council, to the command’s headquarters in Yenagoa.

    Rear Admiral Ibrahim said the Navy is working closely with agencies including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage.

    He highlighted Operation Delta Sentinel as a key initiative driving these efforts, noting that the Navy is deploying advanced surveillance tools, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to detect and respond swiftly to illegal activities.

    The naval chief also called for a “whole-of-society approach,” urging the media to help raise public awareness on the economic impact of oil theft and the importance of secure, lawful oil production.

    Earlier, UCC Chairman Amgbare Ekaunkumo described the relationship between the chapel and the Central Naval Command as cordial, commending the Navy’s role in promoting a safe maritime environment critical to Bayelsa State and national development.

    In a related development, Rear Admiral Ibrahim performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Senior and Junior Ratings Mess in Yenagoa, a welfare project aimed at boosting personnel morale and productivity.

  • AIG Adenola Hosts JTF Commander Oladipo, Pledges Stronger Niger Delta Security Collaboration

    AIG Adenola Hosts JTF Commander Oladipo, Pledges Stronger Niger Delta Security Collaboration

    Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Johnson Adenola, who oversees Zone 16 Command Headquarters, recently hosted Rear Admiral OBF Oladipo, Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) South-South, Operation Delta Safe, at his office in Okaka, Yenagoa.According to a statement from the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gunn Emonena, the courtesy visit aimed to strengthen inter-agency cooperation in tackling crime and insecurity across the Niger Delta region.

    During the meeting, AIG Adenola congratulated Rear Admiral Oladipo on his recent deployment as JTF Commander. He expressed gratitude on behalf of officers and men of Zone 16 for the gesture of solidarity and emphasized the importance of sustained unity and collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the JTF.

    Rear Admiral Oladipo, in response, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and noted that the visit allowed him to familiarize himself with Zone 16 as a critical stakeholder in fulfilling the mandate of Operation Delta Safe.The JTF Commander called for continued cordial working relations and mutual support, highlighting the need for effective collaboration to enhance security across the Niger Delta.

    He further commended the pivotal role of the police in joint operations, stressing that partnerships between the Nigeria Police Force and the JTF are essential for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to proactive engagement and coordinated strategies to address security challenges and maintain law and order across the South-South geopolitical zone.

  • NDDC Commissions Naval Facility in Bayelsa to Boost Security in Niger Delta

    NDDC Commissions Naval Facility in Bayelsa to Boost Security in Niger Delta

    By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commissioned a modern naval facility in Ayakoro Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to strengthen maritime security and safeguard Niger Delta communities from criminal activities.

    The state-of-the-art facility, unveiled during a ceremony in Ayakoro, features a fully furnished administrative block, accommodation block, two gunboats, and an operational floating jetty. It is designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Navy in tackling security threats such as kidnapping, piracy, and illegal oil activities.

    Speaking at the commissioning, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the project underscores the Commission’s commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the area of security and regional stability.

    Ogbuku noted that President Tinubu’s strategic investments in national security have already yielded tangible results, citing the increase in crude oil production from one million barrels per day to 2.2 million barrels per day.

    “This site was chosen by the Nigerian Navy because of its strategic location,” Ogbuku explained. “Previously, kidnappers and operators of illegal refineries used this route to transport stolen products through Onuembu. With this facility in place, such activities are effectively blocked, ensuring safety for Yenagoa and nearby communities.”

    He added that the NDDC’s security-focused projects are aimed at restoring peace in the Niger Delta and promoting economic growth by making the region safer for investment and development.

    Representing Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, retired Brigadier-General Eric Angaye commended the NDDC for its continued infrastructural development across the state. He urged Niger Delta residents to support security agencies in protecting public assets and ensuring lasting peace.

    “Security is a collective responsibility,” Angaye said. “This project will be effective only when communities cooperate with the Navy and other security agencies to maintain order and protect these vital installations.”

    Also speaking, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, lauded the NDDC for the project. He stated that the new base would significantly improve naval operations and enable better surveillance of the region’s waterways.

    “This facility strengthens our capacity to respond swiftly to security threats and maintain a robust presence along critical maritime routes,” Ogalla said.

    Community leaders also expressed gratitude for the initiative. Chief Clever Apkoti, who spoke on behalf of the Ayakoro Community and its council of chiefs, described the project as a “transformative milestone” for the area.

    “This project is not just about infrastructure; it brings renewed hope and economic prospects for our people,” Apkoti remarked.

    The NDDC’s latest intervention highlights its broader mission to foster peace, security, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta, ensuring that communities benefit from both safety and progress.