‘Baga Naval Base is strategic, economic security hub to Lake Chad Basin’

Emmanuel Ogalla, Vice Admiral and Chief of Naval Staff, has charged Navy personnels serving in Baga Area of Borno State to take the fight against insurgents to their enclaves across the lake chad, noting the based is strategic and security hub for the economy of Lake Chad Basin Region.

The CNS, who along the Theatre Commander, North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and other top military brass visited the Naval Base in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of the State hailed the troops for decimating Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in recent operations.

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He explained that the Naval Base in Lake Chad, established in Baga, was designed not only for operational military purposes but also as a strategic economic and security hub, facilitating the protection of vital waterways, enabling commerce, and boosting joint security efforts in the northeast.

He noted that the Naval Headquarters is already working on deploying additional fighting equipment and manpower to further support their efforts.

He said, “I am here on an operational visit to Naval Base, Lake Chad and by extension to the Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) Theater Command Headquarters. This Base is one of the strategic Bases for the Nigerian Navy Contribution to Counter Insurgency in the Northeast.

“I have also come to commend the troops because of the efforts they put in ensuring that the enemy ( ISWAP) suffered great casualties when they came to attack the Naval Base recently . If at any time they want to attack our Naval Base again, they will think twice because of the the massive defeat they suffered.

He said the visit aimed at strengthening military-civil cooperation and enhancing security operations around the Lake Chad region.

“I have also come to let them know that it is our duty to take the war to them (insurgents) and put them in disaray so that they can no longer be organize to come back an attack this place”, he siad.

Ogalla further urged the troops to remain resolute as the Federal Government is making resources available to them.

He advised the troops to eschew any form of inter – agency rivalry pointing out that the collective objective should focus on taking out the enemy of the state.- Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

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“The Battalion here and the Navy Base must work as twin brothers of fighting against this hydra- headed threat of insurgency here.

“You must encourage yourself, talk to each other and maintain your moral at the highest level. That is what you need to defeat the enemy. But I want to assure you, and the people of Borno, that these setbacks will never dampen our resolve,” the Naval Chief said.