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Navy To Establish Two New Operational Bases In Cross River As Ayade Receives CNS



The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo have said that the Nigerian Navy is ready to establish an outpost at Ikang and a naval security station at Dayspring Island.

The two locations are in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State. The Bakassi Local Government shares maritime boundaries with the Republic of Cameroon.

Speaking on Thursday during a courtesy call on the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade at the Executive Chamber of the Governor's Office, Calabar, Vice Admiral Gambo revealed that the notion to establish operational bases in the state is because of the security challenges caused by cult activities and increase in kidnappers. 

"Because we are aware of the security situation in the state - cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements- and to that effect, it has been part of our strategic plan and I think it is expedient that speedily we establish outpost and security station in these locations so that we can improve our security architecture in the state and of course, secure our borders and around the Republic of Cameroon.” He said.

He also assured the governor of the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to the security of the Cross River State and Nigeria at large.

"We have to keep our eyes open and to ensure that Cross River State and Nigeria at large is secured from that angle.”

 

"We want to reassure you of the availability of the Nigerian Navy; we are at your service to ensure that Cross River State and her good people are safe and secured for economic prosperity and development” He said

 

"I want to inform you, Your Excellency, of the ongoing general operations in the creeks around the state to ensure we rid it of all criminal elements; the cultists, the kidnappers and all that to make sure it is safe for maritime business to thrive since Cross River is a littoral state.

Gambo added that the Navy will also partner with other agencies to secure the good people of Cross River State

"In that regard, we are also collaborating with other agencies the Army, the Airforce and of course, the police and other security agencies in the state to ensure that the waterways are safe and secure for the prosperity of the good people of Cross River State" he said.

 

Continuing, Vice Admiral Gambo who said he was on an operational and administrative visit to Cross River expressed optimism that the Naval War College being built in Calabar will be ready for commissioning next year.

 

Responding, Governor Ayade commended the Navy for its security efforts in Cross River so far, which according to him, have "kept us out of the way of harm particularly knowing the complex nature of Cross River's location vis a vis maritime security challenges.

 

“Very recently NNS Victory had undertaken several operations and I want to thank NNS Victory for their efforts in clearing out those bad boys from the creeks. Indeed, that has helped.”

 

Reacting, Governor Ben Ayade appreciated the Naval Chief for the proposed Naval operational bases at Ikang and Dayspring Island and described the development as a smart move to secure people of the area from criminal elements.

 

However, he appealed to the Navy to also establish a base around Esighi where the Bakassi Deep Seaport project is sited.

"We will need a strong naval presence, we will need a naval patrol across the entire length and breadth of our maritime domain.” He said.

 

He pledged to sign the Certificate of Occupancy for the ongoing construction of Naval facilities in Calabar as pleaded by Vice Admiral Gambo.

 



 

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