The naval patrol team deployed from NNS DELTA has successfully destroyed a notorious kidnappers; camp at Ndoro in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

“During the raid, the criminals engaged the patrol team on a shootout, though there was no loss of life. The criminals however, escaped with degrees of gunshot wounds, having been overwhelmed by the naval fire power,” Director of Information, Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekobe, said in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja. He did not disclose the date of the operation.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has tasked companies providing security for oil exploration companies operating in the Niger Delta to support the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in tackling crimes on waterways. He said the private security companies which are partners with the Nigerian Navy, have critical roles to play in the security of our maritime environment.

Vice Admiral Ibas made this assertion at a meeting held at the Naval Headquarters between the Nigerian Navy and the Private Maritime Security Providers. He emphasised that the challenges of piracy, smuggling, crude oil theft and sea robbery require collective effort, hence the need to integrate all stakeholders into the Navy’s action plan to checkmate crimes on Nigeria’s waterways.

Speaking further, the CNS said the upsurge of piracy in recent times is hurting free flow of shipping activities. He maintained that the trend is unacceptable to the Nigerian Navy and must be dealt with decisively. Vice Admiral Ibas therefore enjoined all maritime stakeholders particularly private maritime security companies to assist the Nigerian Navy through information sharing and quick response to distress calls by attacked vessels.

In a related development,

•Photo shows Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.