It is no doubt that the Outgone Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral YB Wambai is truly committed to tackling the menace of piracy, illegal oil bunkering, drug trafficking and other related crimes.
Wambai during his farewell parade, marking the end of his tenure as the 41st Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command emphasised how the command under his leadership had embarked on some laudable projects and reforms aimed at repositioning the Premier Command.
The outgone FOC who doubles as the Force Commander, Joint Force South West, Operation AWATSE which is mandated to curb the incessant vandalism on the NNPC System 2B pipeline from Atlas Cove in Lagos to the Depot in Ibadan, Oyo State and general insecurity across the South West said responsibilities required of the command are beyond the traditional Naval ones.
“In the last one year or thereabout, we successfully keyed into the vision and mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo and worked in line with his Strategic Directive 05 – 2021 to ensure that our decisions and actions are in line with the Nigerian Navy Pillars of Transformation.
“It has been a remarkable experience for me to lead you all as a team by providing focused direction and following through to attain our goals. Talking about goals, upon my assumption of office, we were able to embark on some laudable projects and reforms aimed at repositioning the Premier Command.
“The Western Naval Command under my watch, continued with series of operations initiated to combat the menace of piracy, illegal oil bunkering, drug trafficking and other related crimes within the Command’s Area of Responsibility.
“We conducted OP OKUN ALAAFIA-II, OP ACCORD and participated in OP DAKATAR DA BARAWO to enhance the security of the Command’s maritime domain.
“The deployment of ships for patrols during the period under review led to many arrest, notably among these are the arrest of MV TOKONI on 3 May 22 ladened with over 500 thousand litters of stolen crude oil worth about N281,708,450, MT ALEXANDER J laden with 528.95MT of PMS and MT MV PLATFORM CARE 2 ladened with over 100 thousand litters of AGO.
“Other arrest were the interception of 463 parcels and 100 parcels of Cannabis Sativa at Ibeju Lekki and Badagry respectively estimated at close to 1 billion naira.
“Furthermore various wooden boats ladened with foreign rice and petroleum products. It is worthy of mention that over 2000 bags foreign rice were arrested and handed over to the NCS for necessary action.
“Noteworthy, the Command was able to effect the arrest of 2 Vessels of Interest by launching helo conveying NNSBS personnel. This kind of operation was unprecedented as successful insertion by hel at ranges beyond 80nm at sea was not done in the past.
“The success of the operations presented a new means of rapidly arresting Vessels of Interest in a very coordinated manner.
“The Command also participates in OP AWATSE, where successes were achieved, for instance several arrests were made amongst which are the arrest of 4 tankers and number of vans loaded with illegal bunkers as well as suspects at Oregun general area of Lagos state.
“Also the recovery of stolen petroleum products being smuggled at the creek of Ojodu Berger in Lagos State.
“Others are the arrest of suspects conveying illegally bunked petroleum products in vehicles and the arrest of suspected pipeline vandals. Own troops also intercepted and arrested a tanker as well as suspects diverting 53,000 ltrs tanker load of PMS and illegally smuggled petroleum products at various petroleum stations.
“Albeit, the hitherto System 2B pipeline that was shut down for about 18 months is now open and pumping has commenced to Satellite Town, hence OP AWATSE is achieving a core mandate.
“By and Large, the participation of the Command through these Ops has assisted significantly in curtailing criminal activities in Lagos and environs.
“Thus, conscious efforts are also being made to sustain the achievements recorded in this regards. Additionally, the combined surveillance efforts of NAB OJO and MDA systems enhanced the Command’s drive in sustaining presence at sea and making it difficult for criminals to have freedom of action at sea.
“Despite the limited number of capital ships under command, the Command has continued to deliver on the mandate of the CNS within its AOR. Pertinently, these efforts aided in curbing illegalities within WNC AOR as evidenced in drastic reduction of sea robbery, piracy or hijack of vessels and other maritime crime.
“I can state that in the past 20 months no attack took place in Nigerian waters This achievement was acknowledged by the International Maritime Bureau in their report of 3 Mar 22 which removed Nigeria from the list of nations of high piracy risks/robbery in international waters.
“In 2023, subsequent to this delisting, Nigeria was also removed from war risk state that means payment of less premium by shipping companies that is needed for enhanced National Development.
“The Command also responded to several SOS messages during the period under review, which include NNS PROSPERITY rescue of 2 Ghanian fishermen who had a boat mishap while fishing.
“Notably, NNS BEECROFT recovered a total of 32 stowaways from different ships during the period under review the year 2022. Additionally, 10 out of 12 crew members were rescued from a capsized trawler.
“These efforts ranging from provision of armed escorts, quick responses to maritime crimes and saving of lives in maritime environs have continued to project the Command positively in limelight across the country.
“During the period under review, the Command also participated in both local and multinational sea exercises. The Command conducted command level sea exercise every quarter of the year 2022. It commenced with PASSEX with NNS RIZZO and ESPS SERVIOLA in the first quarter of the year.
“Ex IRON WATERS was done in the second quarter while Ex ALLIED ATLANTIC and Ex SMOOTH WATERS were done in the third and fourth quarters of the year 2022 respectively. Pertinently, the Command also hosted and coordinated Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 20232 from 13 Jan – 3 Feb 23.
“The OE 23 is a multinational exercise aimed at enhancing maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) Region through intelligence sharing, combine exercises and operations.
“The Exercises afforded the opportunity for practical training of own personnel on seamanship, communication and navigation amongst others and enhanced the operational capability of the Command as well as exposed areas of weaknesses which the Command promptly addressed on return to harbour.
“It is worthy of note that each successive exercise evidently showed good improvement in the operational capability of the Command from the former.
“The Command was actively involved in Joint and Multinational Exercises with sister services and foreign navies/coast guards during the period under review. Pertinently, ships from 9 countries made port calls to Lagos.
“At the end of each visit, PASSEX was conducted with own ships. Participation in the aforementioned exercises and operations ensured that the Western Fleet remained at a high state of operational readiness and also provided veritable platforms for strengthening collaborative efforts with international navies. Thus achieving the military and diplomatic role of the Nigerian Navy.
“On personnel welfare and morale, the Command prioritized the welfare of personnel and their families as a means of positively impacting on operations in our Area of Responsibilities. To this end, the Divisional System was reinvigorated as more attention was paid to personnel behavior as it affects individual and collective performance.
“To this end, we initiated projects to improve both the living and working conditions of the personnel through timely intervention on issues affecting the barracks, office space and messes. Due attention was paid to all Nigerian Navy Welfare schools under the Command while ensuring that healthcare deliveries was top notch.
“We sought ways of engaging both private and public stakeholders within our host communities, extending to Lagos States Government which resulted in the ongoing reconstruction of Navy Town – Alakija Road.
“The Command conducted seminar on work and life balance that was intended to address seeming gaps in personnel attitude off and when at work. No gain saying that all these produced the needed results.
“Pertinently, a major plight of personnel is that of accommodation, I can state that the CNS is assiduously working to ensure more accommodation is provided for personnel in the Lagos Area.
“There are massive construction work ongoing in Lagos Area particularly in Navy Town and of course looking behind me, we can see that our beloved Baseflats have given way to a more befitting structure that would cater for our young officers.
“Again in Navy Town a Modern Reference Hospital is been constructed to replace the existing one. It is to be noted that last year the C-in-C commissioned the Ultra-Modern NN Sport Complex in Navy Town. All this efforts are to address gaps identified as necessary to keep the moral of personnel in high spirit in order to attain optimal performance.
“Let me therefore use this opportunity to express my heart felt gratitude to the Chief of the Naval Staff V Adm Awaal Gambo AM CFR for the opportunity to serve and his unwavering support to the Command.
“I must admit that his foresight, purposeful leadership and knack for excellence gave the edge in our numerous successes. I also want to thank the Chief of the Defence Staff for his untiring support, doggedness and guidance.
“Let me also commend my Principal Staff Officers, Commanders and Commanding Officers of units and establishments for ensuring that we work as a team. Your adherence to mission command philosophy made the difference in WNC.
“I must also extend my appreciation to our sister Services, NPF, DSS and other Paramilitary Agency as well as ministry, departments and agencies of government while noting Stakeholders in Maritime Industry.
“The cooperation and collaborations we enjoyed from you enhanced our job and ensured our ability to get the needed outcomes.
“To those I call friends of the Command, especially the various Private Maritime Logistics and Security Companies and the gentlemen of the fourth estate of the realm, it has been awesome working with you.
“Above all, I want to thank the officers, men and civilian staff without whose dedication, loyalty and efforts, the successes recorded by the Command under my watch would not have been possible. I remain grateful to you all.
“At this juncture, I urge you all to extend same cooperation, if not better, to my successor. Above all, I want to thank the Almighty God who makes all things possible and beautiful in his own time.
“I thank all our invited guests for gracing this occasion. May God Almighty grant you all journey mercies back to your various destinations. God bless and Onward Together,” he said.