The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed that the welfare of Nigerian Navy personnel in the Niger Delta remains his top priority. He made the declaration on Tuesday in Yenagoa during his inaugural familiarisation visit to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe, Headquarters South-South, and the Central Naval Command (CNC).
The visit was Abbas’ first to the two security formations since his recent appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Addressing officers and ratings, the CNS highlighted the strategic importance of the Navy’s role in protecting the nation’s oil and gas resources. He noted that the ability of naval personnel to perform effectively depends largely on their wellbeing.
“The welfare of our officers and men is my top priority. If their welfare is not seriously taken care of, I don’t think they can achieve the level of operational success we expect,” he said.
Vice Admiral Abbas commended the JTF and CNC for their contributions to maritime security, particularly in curbing oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta. He explained that his visit was aimed at assessing their challenges with a view to addressing them promptly.
“Stopping here is to enable me assess the critical challenges you are facing, with the intention of resolving them. We need harmonious collaboration because we cannot do it alone. Whatever security challenge we face requires a whole-of-society approach,” he stated.
The naval chief assured that the Nigerian Navy would continue to partner with all stakeholders to make the nation’s waterways safe, stressing that a secure maritime environment is crucial to sustaining Nigeria’s economy.
“We rely heavily on the resources in our maritime environment, particularly in the Niger Delta. These resources are mostly within our waters, and we are the custodians of that environment,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Oladipo Fahad, said the JTF remained committed to safeguarding the vital oil and gas infrastructure that drives the nation’s economic stability.
He emphasized that Operation Delta Safe operates with a clear mandate to deter criminal elements, protect critical national assets, and promote peace and economic development across the region.
Rear Admiral Fahad noted that intelligence-driven operations, community collaboration, and coordinated patrols with sister security agencies have yielded notable progress in dismantling criminal networks and boosting stakeholder confidence.
“Your visit today is a resounding testament to your exceptional leadership and the premium you place on advancing security in the Niger Delta Region,” he told the CNS.
