Navy commanders launch Operation Tsare Teku to combat renewed Niger Delta piracy

NIGERIAN Navy military commanders have launched a massive operation code-named Operation Tsare Teku designed to combat the renewed threat of criminal activity and piracy in the Niger Delta.

 

Earlier this week, President Muhammadu Buhari issued a strong warning to e trouble makers in the region, declaring that pipeline vandals will be treated in the same manner as Boko Haram terrorists. In response to the warning the Nigerian Navy has decided to launch the new operation that involves it increasing its presence in the creeks.

 

In addition, the Nigerian Navy has also indirectly accused former Niger Delta war-lord, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo of masterminding the resurgence in militancy in the Niger Delta. Chief of naval staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said that he had set up a task force headed by a commodore to handle the operation aimed at clearing the nation’s territorial waters of criminals.

 

Vice Admiral Ibas, said that four ships had been deployed in the area including NNS Okpabana, NNS Kyanwa, NNS Sagbama, and NNS Andoni, while the remaining three naval ships would join the operation later on. These are NNS Centenary, NNS Burutu, and NNS Zaria.

 

He warned that no serious country would tolerate the sabotage of the vital sectors of its economy and vowed that the region would be cleared of all criminal activities. According to the navy chief, criminal activities have increased after some former Niger Delta militant leaders were declared wanted, in addition to the fact that the Presidential Amnesty Programme would soon end.

 

“As you are all aware, the jugular of the Nigeria economy is at the maritime area of Niger Delta, so, when we noticed an infringement in that area, it affects the economy of the nation. We have inaugurated Operation Tsare Teku to clear the area of these miscreants and it is to be headed by a senior flag officer of the rank of commodore.

 

“There is no nation in the world that will allow this to happen in its maritime domain. It’s not as if the Nigerian Navy has not been doing anything all this while to secure our maritime environment but because we have had more ships in the maritime area than any other time," Vice Admiral Ibas added.

 

He added that they have localised these problems at two major areas, offshore Brass and offshore Bonny,  Vice Admiral Ibas also said that the Nigerian Navy has been up to the task of policing the coastal areas of the country in collaboration with other neighbouring countries and international partners.