Nigerian Navy to establish operational base in Enugu to improve security

In order to increase the safety of people and property by securing the state's coastal areas, the Nigerian Navy is establishing an operational facility in Enugu State.

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff, revealed this to Dr. Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State, during a Thursday courtesy call at the Government House in Enugu.

The government of Enugu State has vowed to work in tandem with the Nigerian Navy and other security organisations to maintain and strengthen the state's security and tranquillity, which it has stated is essential to the current administration's plan for rapid economic growth.

Ogalla praised Governor Mbah for taking decisive steps to address the state's security issues as soon as he took office and expressed admiration for the results achieved in the brevity of his tenure.

Continuing, he said: “The Nigerian Navy has three primary roles, which are first, the military duties, being the protection of this country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from the maritime domain. We have policing role as well as diplomatic roles.

“We have noticed that within this role of policing duties, we have not really extended our functions to Enugu State, and we want to do that with your support.

“To this end, we plan to extend our operations to encompass and cover the broader spectrum of Enugu State, knowing that the state has a navigable river around Uzo Uwani. That river used to be a seaport during the colonial era, and it has been abandoned. We believe that if we are able to police that area, it will give assurances to investors, who will now invest in the development of that seaway for the benefit of the people of Enugu State.

“So, I want to seek your support as we make this bold initiative towards showing presence within that important seaway.

“Our operations there will be aimed at providing internal security operations both through area surveillance and patrol in such a manner that economic activities can thrive without hindrance”.

Mbah, who welcomed the Chief of the Naval Staff to his home state and expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing an Enugu native to lead a division of the nation's security services, said that the appointment was of "immense value and significance, not just to the people of Enugu State, but to the entire South East region."

Source