The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has cautioned officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy against colluding with criminals to perpetrate oil theft and other maritime crimes.
Ogalla gave the warning during the decoration of 29 newly promoted senior officers to the rank of Rear Admiral on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the year 2023 had its highs and lows for the nation, requiring the armed forces to play significant roles in ensuring the security and prosperity of Nigeria.
He urged the officers that the Nigerian Navy and the nation required them to be more dedicated and to display unalloyed loyalty to the President and the Constitution in addressing the myriad of security challenges confronting the country.
“Your ingenuity, resourcefulness, and integrity will be required to reposition the service in the years ahead.
“The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with other security agencies, has continuously strived to protect the economic mainstay of the country through various operations to counter oil theft,” he said.
