From a Few Boats to Africa’s 3rd Largest Force: Navy Chief Outlines Strategy to End Oil Theft for Good

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, emphasizes that a substantial increase in naval personnel is crucial for effectively combating oil theft in the nation’s maritime domain. Speaking on Channels Television during the Nigerian Navy’s 69th-anniversary celebration, Admiral Ogalla stated that the current force of just over 30,000 personnel is insufficient to adequately patrol Nigeria’s vast coastal waters, which cover approximately one-third of the country’s landmass.

Despite acknowledging continuous progress in the fight against oil theft, Ogalla highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s significant growth from its origins with a few boats donated by the Royal Navy to becoming Africa’s third-largest naval power, with aspirations to be the continent’s leading naval force. To enhance its capabilities, the Navy is focusing on two key areas: increasing annual recruitment to address the critical manpower gap and improving technology. The Navy now utilizes one of the world’s most effective maritime awareness systems for comprehensive sea visibility, and has recently launched three new ships and three helicopters to expand operational reach and rapid response. Ogalla stressed that technological advancements must be complemented by skilled personnel, underscoring the importance of developing and equipping officers.

Read more: SEC warns against Ponzi Schemes

While reporting a notable reduction in oil theft, the Naval Chief advocated for a more holistic strategy beyond traditional naval patrols. He noted that prosecuting offenders is often complicated by the fact that foreign nationals frequently own the vessels used in illicit operations. To address this, Ogalla outlined a comprehensive plan: proposing the establishment of special maritime courts to the Minister of Justice for swift and effective prosecution of maritime offenses, fostering inter-agency collaboration with the Army and Air Force, and actively engaging coastal communities to tackle root causes of crime like unemployment and illiteracy through non-kinetic means.

Addressing internal discipline, Vice Admiral Ogalla issued a stern warning, confirming that naval personnel found complicit in oil theft under his command have faced severe consequences, including demotion and dismissal. He asserted that engaging in oil theft is “too risky” for naval personnel, reassuring Nigerians of the Navy’s commitment to eradicating corruption within its ranks. Ogalla concluded with a confident vision, assuring the nation that oil theft can be curtailed to a level where it no longer threatens Nigeria’s economic stability, as the Navy strives to become the foremost naval force in Africa.

More From Author

A Tragedy Foretold: How Unregulated Building and Missed Warnings Led to Mokwa Disaster

Atlanta to Abuja: US Group Takes Seyi Tinubu’s Political Dreams to Nigeria

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *