Nigerian Navy Recovers Arms in Bayelsa.

 

 The Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH (NNS SOROH) has  recovered two AK-47 rifles, 6 AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and deactivated a local wooden boat used to convey illegal crude oil products in Bayelsa.

Commodore Olushina Ojebode, the Commander NNS SOROH, who assumed command on the 14th of April, 2023, stated this during a press briefing at the Base in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.  

He said "Personnel of NNS SOROH during a water patrol at Gbaram community of Agbadam-Foropa made contact with six armed men in a speedboat who attempted to attack own troops. Consequently, own troops overpowered the armed men with superior firepower in the fire fight that ensued, thus making the armed men flee.

" Items recovered from the armed men include arms and ammunition; 2 AK-47 rifles, 6 AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one small techno phone amongst others.

In another development, the same troops during an anti crude oil theft operation at Southern Ijaw discovered a wooden boat laden with illegal crude oil products. Accordingly, the boat was deactivated in line with extant regulation and standard operating procedure.

The Commander, cited that with successful operations at Tebidaba, Furopa, and Ezetu, combing the Bayelsa maritime environment for oil thieves and operators of illegal bunkering and sundry-crimes is  non-negotiable. 

He assured Bayelsans and, by extension, Nigerians of a renewed effort to provide adequate security within Nigeria's maritime domain, which is in pursuant to the mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukuwu Ogalla.

Ojebode, urged those involved in illegal activities to have a rethink and seek legitimate source of livelihood, else the full weight of the force will catch up with them.

The Commander, while commending the troops for their gallantry and high level of professionalism urged all law abiding Bayelsans to continue to support the  military and other security agencies with credible and actionable information that would assist in operations against the criminal elements.

The Commander later took a five-minute boat ride through the Epie Creek to Famgbe in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, where his personnel deactivated the local boat used for oil theft.