The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Navy (NN) have restrategised to combat illegal activities along the Nigerian water ways under a joint maritime operation codenamed “OPERATION SAUKAN MIKIYA”.

This was announced yesterday by NAF Director of Public Relations & Information, Air Commodore Dele Alonge.

He said in a statement issued in Abuja: “The illegal activities which include crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism that often result to environmental pollution, loss of lives/property and huge losses in accruable revenue to the Federal Government of Nigeria would soon become a thing of the past. The 2 days operation was held on 3-4 September around Port Harcourt, Brass River, Bonny River and seawards up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”

Alonge disclosed that “during the exercise, the Nigerian Navy deployed some patrol boats along the creeks of Bonny and Brass Rivers. NNS CENTENARY and NNS OKPABANNA were also positioned at the entry points into the rivers respectively to monitor and block suspicious vessels within the creeks and the high sea. The Nigerian Air Force using its ATR 42 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was tasked to locate suspicious vessels within the creeks and high sea as well as to report positions, names and other details to NNS OKPABANNA which was the air control ship for the exercise. The overall objective of the exercise was to enhance the security of Nigerian coastal resources and off shore interests by assessing the capabilities of the NAF and NN in terms of monitoring and apprehending erring vessels which are essential components of maritime security.”

According to the NAF Spokesman, “At the successful completion of the exercise, the much needed synergy between the NAF and NN was achieved as visual contact and communication were established with NNS OKPABANA and NNS CENTENARY. The NAF ATR 42 also monitored from the coast into the sea and using Aeronautical Information System (AIS) to view into high sea up to EEZ. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar has also used the occasion to assure Nigerians that despite the serious involvement of the Nigerian Air Force in the war against insurgency in the North-East all necessary support to stamp out illegal activities along the Nigerian water ways by the Nigerian Navy would be given as the need arises.”

•Photo shows CAS.