Nigerian Navy Sustain Anti-Piracy Operation
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The Nigerian Navy has extended the duration of the ongoing anti-piracy operation, Operation TSARE TEKU till January 2018. The operation was activated in April 2016 in response to the surge in illegalities in the nation’s water and mandated to contain these illegalities.
Against this background and the need to sustain the successes achieved so far, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has directed the commencement of the fifth phase of Operation TSARE TEKU.
A total of 6 NN ships, NNS OKPABANA, NNS UNITY, NNS NWAMBA, NNS OBULA and NNS SAGBAMA have been assigned for the operation. Some of the objectives of the operation include containing militant activities, sustaining maritime interdiction operations and blockade to deter pirates/robbers and militants.
Since the commencement of Operation TSARE TEKU, there has been a marked reduction in pirate attacks in Nigerian waters. In the first half of 2016, 53 pirate attacks on shipping were recorded with 36 successful.
However, in the corresponding period in 2017, only 4 successful attacks occurred out of a total of 17 attempted attacks. This is attributed to the effectiveness of this dedicated anti-piracy operation and enhanced patrols at sea by Nigerian Navy ships.
SULEMAN DAHUN
Navy Captain
Acting Director of Information
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