Nigeria’s Eastern Naval Command, ENC, has set a record in maritime security as the first of five commands to spend a combined average of about 145,000 hours patrolling Nigeria’s waterways.
The outgone Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, the ENC, Rear Admiral David Adeniran disclosed this during the valedictory speech to mark his retirement at the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Victory parade ground in Calabar, Cross River State, south-south region.
Rear Admiral Adeniran said that the command, since his assumption of office on August 28, 2018 to January 4, 2021, has also invalidated illegal refineries as well as smashed smuggling and kidnapping rings.
“In the area of operations December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020, the command was able to achieve 18, 156 hours 30 minutes of sea patrol per capital ships making about 90 percent presence at sea.”
“Also, the boats patrolling the creeks and shallow waters recorded 127, 632 hours 20 minutes during the same period, which is the 121.25 percent of set standard making a combined average of 105 percent. We are the only command that has surpassed the 100 percent mark,” said Adeniran.
Rear Admiral Adeniran, who attributed the achievements to the commitment, hard work and resilience of officers and ratings in the command, further stated, “281 illegal refineries were neutralized, 50 kilograms of 31, 303 bags of smuggled rice were seized, 199,000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil confiscated and 51,800 metric tonnes of illegally refined AGO seized”.
According to him, “The command patrol efforts culminated in the arrest of 707 suspects, 38 vessels 5 vehicles, the seizure of 196 pumping machines and dismantling of 225 wooden boats.
“A major piracy syndicate that specializes in ransom negotiations was smashed, which has obstructed and invariably checked the activities of smugglers and sea robbers for several months now in the Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility,” he added.
Other Achievements
Adeniran also noted that the command within the period participated in several joint military operations in synergy with sister security agencies within the command’s area of responsibility.
The outgone FOC hinted that five new administrative management systems using cutting edge technology were deployed to create a smart working environment for personnel, save time and maximize available resources especially with the covid-19 pandemic.
He appreciated the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokete Ekwe Ibas for the opportunity given him to serve the country and the people as well as the navy in different capacities.
Adeniran similarly commended the officers and men of the naval command for the support given him while serving as FOC, saying “thank you very much. All the successes I have recorded is due to their support. I will urge them to keep the flag flying.”
A static parade was held in honour of Rear Admiral Adeniran, who after inspecting the colour guard, was sent forth by a procession of top officers of the Eastern and Central Naval Commands, Service Commanders, captains of industries including maritime stakeholders as well as representatives of the host communities.
Rear Admiral David Adegbola Adeniran was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as a Sub-Lieutenant of the Executive Branch on January 4th 1987 but graduated with a Bachelor of Science, B.Sc in electrical electronics engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri in 1991.
Adeniran has been decorated with the Forces Service Star, FSS, the Meritorious Service Star, MSS, the Distinguished Service Star, DSS and General Service Star GSS.
He is a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, and Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers, FNSE.
PIAK
