At Ceremonial Sunset, Naval Chief Honours Officers who Freed 250 Abducted Children

At Ceremonial Sunset, Naval Chief Honours Officers who Freed 250 Abducted Children

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo has honoured 12 officers of the Nigerian Navy for displaying gallantry, professionalism and discipline in the course of discharging their responsibilities.

Some of the senior officers which include Commodores S. El-Hussain, EB Adeolu and IG Essor, together with Lt. OM Ajoje.

The quartet were honoured with the award of the ‘NNS Group Centenary Technical Intervention Team’ for maintaining professionalism in their duty post.

While AB Barau, PO Itsegoke, Woreg Nweke, Slt. FK Dibang, Lt. IC Nwankwo, Lt. AV Amboson, Lt. S Abdullahi and Lt. Cdr KB Afolabi, received individual gallantry commendation award for leading a successful military operation that freed more than 250 kidnapped children in the North East, while also dislodging terrorists from their hideouts in the North West.

Vice Admiral Gambo, in his opening remark at the ‘Ceremonial Sunset/Navy Ball 2022’, to the mark end of the year activities of the Navy, at the Naval Unit in Abuja, said their Navy recorded many successes in its operation, in the outgoing year.

He commended both the officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy for their doggedness, discipline and cooperation, lauding President Muhammadu Buhari for the growth of the NNS, leading to the aggressive re-capitalization of several capital ships and fast patrol boats, among others.

“The Nigerian Navy, within this year, also witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development across its various commands.

“In particular, the successful completion of one ultra-modern sports complex with state-of-the-art equipment to boost physical and mental readiness of personnel for improved operations efficiency. These achievements will not have happened without the support of the federal government,” he said.

Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi (rtd), who was the special guest of honour, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, commended the Nigerian Navy for contributing to the successes recorded in fighting insecurity, especially by protecting the country’s waterways from pirate and oil bunkers.

The event witnessed silent drill and band display of the Nigerian Navy, Sunset Party/Band March Off, cultural display, comedy, dancing competitions and display of fireworks.