The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Idi Abass, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustaining peace and security across the nation’s maritime spaces, particularly in the Niger Delta region. Speaking on Monday during his maiden familiarisation visit to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta in Warri, Abass highlighted the significant improvements already achieved in regional security, which have positively impacted crude oil production and, by extension, foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria.
Received by Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, Commander of NNS Delta, the CNS emphasised that the Navy’s role extends beyond mere patrolling. “The Nigerian Navy will continue to do everything possible to maintain the peace we have within our maritime environment to enable legitimate businesses to thrive,” he said. He noted the critical importance of the Niger Delta, home to the majority of Nigeria’s offshore oil assets, underlining that stability in the region is vital for the country’s economic wellbeing.
Rear Admiral Abass stressed that achieving lasting security requires a collaborative, community-driven approach. He described the relationship between the Navy and local communities as “symbiotic,” noting that both sides rely on each other. “We cannot do without the community people, and the locals cannot do without the Navy. They are the locals, and they know who is who in a particular area. We do not have other options than to work with them because we get information or intelligence from them,” he said. The Navy’s engagement with communities also includes regular medical outreach programs and the distribution of palliatives, initiatives aimed at building trust and fostering cooperation.
During his visit, the CNS also addressed naval personnel, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and teamwork. He reminded them of their critical responsibility as custodians of the maritime environment, where Nigeria’s crude oil is explored, and stressed that while hard work and dedication would be rewarded, indiscipline would face strict consequences.
The visit by Rear Admiral Abass underscores the Navy’s ongoing dedication not only to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime assets but also to strengthening the vital connection between security forces and local communities, ensuring peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
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