Nigerian Navy Warns Against Illegal Maritime Security Agencies

By Bassey Inyang in Calabar

The Nigerian Navy on Friday in Calabar issued stern warning to organisations operating in the maritime industry to stop patronising with illegal maritime security agencies.

The Navy issued the warning when the Akwa Ibom state oil and gas monitoring and implementation committee paid a courtesy call to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral James Oluwole, at the Command Headquarters in Calabar.

Speaking during the event, the FOC, who was  represented by the Chief Staff Officer, ENC, Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile, stated that organisations should be wary of those parading themselves as maritime security agencies without legal backing from the Federal Government as listed in Nigerian Constitution.

The FOC stated that the Navy will withdraw her support from any organisation found to be collaborating with illegal maritime security agencies, and such agencies will be sanctioned and their members arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“Every maritime security agency operating illegally in Nigerian maritime domain is our enemy and we cannot support any organisation dealing with them”, Oluwale said.

The FOC promised that the Nigerian Navy will collaborate with the committee.

He said with the current economic realities, states need to look inward on how to increase their internally generated revenue.

He said the Navy is willing to assist legally constituted committees, agencies and organisations operating legally in the Country’s maritime domain.