A group, Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies, has applauded the former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, for his tenacity in building a virile, forward-looking and responsive naval force, capable of safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment.
It noted that the Nigerian Navy achieved several commendable milestones under Gambo’s watch, in 29 months, ranging from recapitalisation and strengthening collaborative efforts with national and international stakeholders.
Among the feats recorded were delivery of the brand new NNS LANA (new Hydrographic Survey Vessel) and NNS KADA, which is Nigeria’s newest Warship; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Refit and Remodelling of Nigeria’s Flagship, NNS ARADU, and placing an order for two high-endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels, currently being built by Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey.
These were contained in a release by the convener, Mary Fatile, on Saturday.
“Under the watch of 57-year-old vibrant Gambo, the first Presidential Fleet Review of the Nigerian Navy since 2010, was held in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, during which two new Ships and a new helicopter were inducted into service.
He vigorously tackled oil theft through the launch of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, considered the biggest anti-oil theft military operation in the history of Nigeria, with the deployment of 40 warships, 200 gunboats, and five helicopters, among other assets.
This operation recorded the seizure of 728,000 barrels of crude oil, 44.5 million litres of illegally-refined diesel, 2.46 million litres of kerosene, amounting to more than 71 Billion in the first year he assumed office,” the statement partly read.
In addition, the Falcon Eye Alignment, a state-of-the-art maritime surveillance and intelligence system, and one of the most sophisticated domain awareness systems in Africa, was commissioned during his tenure.
Fatile noted that Gambo’s tenure advanced its local content work, completed construction of the third Seaward Defence Boats (SDB-3) and commenced the simultaneous construction of SDBs 4 and 5.
She commended Gombo’s efforts in Maritime survey and law enforcement, adding that “In securing the Gulf of Guinea, Vice Admiral Gambo took the lead on the ongoing efforts to establish a Gulf of Guinea (GoG) Naval Task Force, and hosted meetings of the Heads of Navies and Coastguards of the Gulf of Guinea nations in Abuja in April 2023 and in Lagos in May 2023.
“Gambo has been able to explore and unwrap formidable factors that can guarantee a prepared naval fleet poised to ameliorate maritime insecurity for the prosperity of the mainstay of the nation’s economy, thereby leaving indelible marks on the sand of time in the Nigerian Navy.
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