The Chief of Army (CAS), Farouk Yahaha, a lieutenant general, has tasked the special forces being unleashed into Nigeria’s territorial waters on the Deep Blue Project (DBP) to do everything within their power to resist inducements and temptations at sea.
The General spoke at the graduation ceremony of the third batch of the special forces being unleashed onto Nigeria’s territorial waters to fight piracy and reduce attacks on vessels in Nigeria’s zone.
Yahaya, who was represented by a brigadier general, Hassam Bawa, said there could be temptation at sea and inducements in the line of duty but urged the special forces to endeavour to resist them.
The CAS pledged maximum support to the men going to sea on issues of welfare.
He regretted that insecurity has affected Nigeria’s economy and that though many projects have been launched to tackle insecurity but it appears that the more they were launched, the more the incidents rather happened.
He blamed this on poor intelligence, and said there is need for the introduction hitech at this time. On this score, he commended the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA) for coming to the rescue with the special forces under the Dee Blue Project.
For this reason, he noted, criminals have no place any more. He also said it is good that Nigeria has been delisted as most dangerous waters. He said the international community is usually worried when abductions of foreigners are reported from Nigeria, and warned that the world is watching.
He said: “Don’t feel you are on your own in the waters. Always call on us if you need us, and vice versa. The NIMASA DG has done very well in this project.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, a Vice Admiral, Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who was represented by a Rear Admiral, Z.S Mohammed, said efforts so far are yielding results especially in delisting Nigeria as one of the countries with most dangerous waters.
He said since he took over in January 2021, much has been achieved in tackling oil theft and piracy. “Thus, action today will further reduce insecurity. Recent arrest of a vessel is part of this effort.
“Since taking over the Deep Blue Project command, much has happened. Over 300 operatives have so far been trained. I commend NIMASA DG and others for the achievements. These special operatives are very good. It is rigorous but they have done it.”
He said their target is to protect the riverine areas, and make the nation proud.
The Chief of Air Staff, a Vice Admiral, Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who was represented by an Air Vice Marshal, Harry Etukudo, noted that the Commander of the Project commands huge confidence. “He has proved to be a good choice. Training is most important in security mandates.”
He assured of full support of the Air Force in the project.
The commander of the Deep Blue Project, a Commodore, V.D Choji, gave what looked like an exciting update to the army chiefs saying the project dwells around a sustainable architecture in Nigeria’s territorial waters.
He said it is for protection of Nigeria’s territory and that the threats are being reduced by the Navy and the Deep Blue security.
He said the special forces were waiting to be deployed in Benin. “We have 16 armoured vehicles such that when we pursue in water, and they move to land, we pursue on land too.
“We have 15 interception boats. We have 387 well-trained men. Some have already been deployed in Bonny, etc. The 94 we trained are today going to Forcados, Brass, and Bonny.
“We are emphasizing on special training because we know that top equipment without topnotch training is nothing.”
The Director-General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, who seemed highly excited, said maritime security is not about the Navy but a combination of forces and strategies.
He talked about efforts to remove Nigeria from the War Risk Insurance status, saying sustainability of the Deep Blue project is guaranteed.
The Minister of Transport, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said the DBP is one of the Nigeria’s biggest security successes.
He assured of FG full support and said NIMASA was driving the scheme with full dedication.
The minister and the army chiefs and NIMASA bosses inspected various equipment and maneuver tactics displayed by the Israeli-trained special forces.
