From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The Nigerian Navy is to build more mobile stations in Bayelsa State to tackle the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta region.

The plan, according to projections of the Navy, would cover specific creeks and flashpoints of militants activities as identified by military intelligence.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas who stated this in Yenagoa, yesterday, during the annual shore inspection of ships units and establishment at the headquarters of the Central Naval Command (CNC), Yenagoa, said the Navy was determined to stamp out criminal activities from the Niger Delta region.

Ibas disclosed that the inspection was an annual event, and stressed that the visit was to enable him “evaluate and access the operational state of equipment and men at the Central Naval Command comprising Bayelsa, Delta and Anambra states.”

He commissioned the CNC gymnasium and recreational centre and officers’ mess outdoor bar, and inspected ongoing projects, including the administrative blocks and officers’ accommodation.

On the progress so far recorded by the command, Ibas said the Navy would do more to encourage the command to ensure stability in its Area of Responsibilities (AOR).

“The Nigerian Navy is barely five years old in Bayelsa State, since 2012, and our visible presence under this five years is tremendous and has changed the maritime security landscape. The Nigerian Navy will do everything and anything to ensure and create the enabling environment to allow legitimate use of the maritime environment.

“We are extending our bases to create more mobile stations to cover the flashpoints to create additional points to reduce criminality in Bayelsa State and we are also volunteering to provide new engines to the state government-owned boats to increase more naval presence in the waterways,” he said.

Ibas, who also paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, commended the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration for its continued support to the Navy.

He particularly mentioned the donation of 100 hectares of land to the Navy for the building of a naval base to be named after Soroh, an indigene of the state.

Ibas appealled to youths in the state to eschew criminality, stressing that development comes with secure environment.

The Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha Jonah (retd) who represented Dickson commended the Navy for immortalising an indigene of the state and for creating more mobile stations to fight criminality.