The Nigerian Navy (NN) has reacted to frivolous publications claiming Pirate attacks and huge bribery allegations being perpetrated by her personnel on Ibaka community waterways describing them as spurious news reports.
The Navy authorities, declared that such a campaign of calumny against the NN is none and void adding that Nigerians should totally jettison and ignore such reports.
According to the NN, the general public should disregard such publications. Recall that some publications are being circulated by some news media claiming the alleged invasion of Ibaka Beach by pirates.
The report claimed that over 700 pirates invaded Ibaka Beach located at Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and kidnapped five persons and carted away nine boats.
According to the reports, the fishermen at Ibaka offered bribes to Nigerian Navy personnel to protect them against militants at the high sea, with nothing in return for such patronage.
But reacting to the purported reports in a statement, Director of Information NN, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan on Thursday said the spurious allegations and claims were viewed seriously by the NN adding that the NN, carried out preliminary investigations and findings were made immediately.
“First, a meeting was held between the NN, Ibaka community stakeholders including the Community Fishermen Association, and some media houses at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at IBAKA on 13 July 2022.
“At the meeting, the spokesperson of Watchout Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ibaka, the umbrella organization of Ibaka fishermen, Mr Ogunbiyi Johnbull debunked the reported allegation and claims as false.
“This was corroborated by other stakeholders in attendance who together averred that it was unfair to propagate such falsehood.
“Thereafter, a visit was paid to Ibaka Beach to assess firsthand the state of commercial activities since it was falsely reported that activities has ceased, and the people had deserted the beach in fear of pirate attack and kidnap.
“Activities were however observed to be ongoing as against the reported closure of stalls and limited activities at the beach. It was also observed that despite the heavy downpour at the time of visit, the beach was fully active as people went about their routine commercial activities unhindered and without fear.
“The general public is, therefore, to note that there was no attack and kidnap incident at Ibaka Beach as alleged. Also, personnel of the NN serving at FOB IBAKA are not induced or bribed to perform their duties.
“The NN remains committed to its constitutional role of ensuring the security of Nigeria’s maritime environment for economic/commercial activities to thrive.” The statement reads.
The statement furthermore claimed that the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its half-year report of 2022, appreciated the reduction of piracy around the globe and in particular the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
“It is on firm authority to state as mentioned by the IMB Director, Mr. Micheal Howlett, that no case of pirate attack or vessel hijack in Nigerian waters was reported in the first half of 2022. Pertinently, pirates operate on the high seas, several hundreds of miles from the coast while sea robbers operate around coastal waters and along the inland waters; rivers and creeks.
“Nonetheless, the NN is committed to sustaining the momentum of operations as well as recently recorded successes as acknowledged by the IMB.
“From the foregoing, it appears that the masterminds of these false allegations and claims were bent on hindering and distracting ongoing NN intensified anti-smuggling operations and efforts at countering maritime illegalities around Ibaka area notorious for smuggling of rice as well as illegally refined petroleum products and contraband.” The statement said.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/no-pirate-attack-bribery-allegations-in-ibaka-community-waterways-nigerian-navy/
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