The Nigerian Navy has kicked off another operation tagged: “Operation Tsare Teku” to tackle criminality in waterways.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, who inaugurated the operation, said it was in readiness of Navy to rid the waterways of criminal activities.
Operation Tsare Teku IV, which is one of the series of anti-piracy operation of the Nigerian Navy dedicated to rid the maritime domain of criminal activities, was launched on Wednesday in Warri, Delta State.
The Naval boss, who was represented by Rear Adm. Adeniyi Osinowo, Chief of Training and Operation, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, said the effects of the activities of illegal refiners were becoming worrisome.
According to him, the operation will also rid criminal activities in offshore around our waterways particularly against pirates and sea robbers.
“Particularly those who intend to impact negatively on the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.”
What is really of concern to Navy is that the agitation of some of the militant groups has transmitted in one way of the other detrimental to the image of the nation.
What is really a concern to the Nigerian Navy is the damaging effect of the activities of illegal refiners.
Causing pollution on the environment, converting crude oil into other products through which other effects and by-products has continued to significantly degrade our environment,” he said.
Ibas appealed to the media and other relevant groups in the society to sensitise Niger Delta communities on the environmental and health implications of pipeline vandalism and operation of illegal oil refineries.
Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Mohammed Garba, said “Operation Tsare Teku” was aimed at safeguarding the maritime domain.
“Statistics at our disposal shows that there is reduction in occurrences of piracy, sea robbery and other forms of crime in the waterways.
“To those who are bent on perpetrating maritime crime, it is no longer a business as usual,” he said.
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