Update On NNS Unity And Nigerian Navy Anti-Crude Oil Theft Operations

Update On NNS Unity And Nigerian Navy Anti-Crude Oil Theft Operations

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) UNITY, the latest addition to the Nigerian Navy (NN) fleet arrived Luanda, Angola on Sunday 30 October 2016 from China after a number of other Port Calls, the last being Simon’s Town in South Africa. The Ship was received by the Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy of Nigeria in Angola, Mr Tom Etuknwa, the Nigerian Navy delegation led by R Adm Ifeola Mohammed, Nigeria’s Defence Attache to Angola. Navy Captain Sola Oluwagbire, members of the Angolan Navy, as well as the Angolan Press.

Briefing the media on arrival at Port of Lauda the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Bola Ogunleye expressed delight to be in Angolan waters. He highlighted on the activities of the ship and thanked to the Angolan authorities for the warm reception. On his part, the representative of the Angolan Navy Cdr Venncio de Olivera also praised the high level of cooperation between both navies and expressed the Angolan Navy’s willingness to always support the NN activities, particularly because of their joint commitment to security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The ship company was later hosted to a cocktail by the Angolan Navy with courtesy calls to the Captain of the Port of Luanda, Captain Henrique Pedro, the Director of International Relations of the Angolan Ministry of National Defence, Gen Jose de Sousa and Commanding Officer of the Angolan Navy Operational fleet, V Adm Jorge Silva. There was also a novelty football match between NNS UNITY and selected team from the Angolan Navy.

The visit ended with a ceremonial sunset onboard the ship which attracted dignitaries from the diplomatic Corps, Angolan Armed Forces, Ministries of National Defence and Foreign Relations as well as invited guests from the general public. The ship has since departed Angola on Tuesday 1 November 2016 and is expected in Nigeria on Friday 4 November 2016.

In another development, the Anti-crude Oil Theft Operations in the Niger Delta under OP DELTA SAFE has continued to sustain positive impact on the NN efforts to stop all forms of economic sabotage. This time, the patrol team of Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered and destroyed 2 illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek 6 in Bonny LGA. Also destroyed in the sites include one large Cotonou boat, 6 tanks laden with products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and 4 tanks laden with product suspected to be crude oil. Additionally, the patrol team destroyed 3 speed boats laden with about 8 drums each of illegally refined AGO at Bolo community in Bonny LGA on 01 November 2016

CHRISTIAN EZEKOBE

Commodore

Director of Information