Navy to establish Naval Base in Kebbi

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

 The Nigeria Navy has concluded arrangement to establish a naval base in Yauri, Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi.

A delegation from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla unveiled the plan during a courtesy visit on Kebbi State Governor ,Dr. Nasir Idris at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

Speaking during the visit, leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, said the visit was part of efforts to expand the maritime strategy of Nigerian Navy.

This, he said, in addition to its statuary area of responsibility in the maritime domain in the offshore and sea and to support maritime security in the hinterland.

According to Nwatu, River Niger is a great national asset that has been given Nigeria a lot of goodwill by supporting agriculture and power generation, which also remains a source of livelihood to the citizens.

“But unfortunately, with the insurgency and conflicts in Nigeria, that same River Niger, in spite of its good potentials, is being utilised by some criminal elements to escalate the level of insecurity in our country.

“Because we have noticed that River Niger has been a convergence of criminals and route for smuggling of arms and other elements that are detrimental to our interests.

“So, in addition to the base we have in Niger on the side of the river, the Nigerian Navy found it necessary to expand to establish a base in Kebbi, so that we can have complete presence within the Niger area,” he said.

The team leader expressed optimism that with the support of the governor and people of Kebbi, the move would pave the way for improved security architecture of the country, especially with regards to safety in the Northwest

On his part, Governor Idris described the idea as a very good and holistic development, couple with the security challenges bedeviling the Southern part of Kebbi.

He, however, appreciated God Almighty for His guidance and support that culminated into the successes being recorded against the bandits terrorising the area.

“We have never have a nava base in Kebbi, we are grateful, the Chief of the Naval Staff finds it worthy to establish a naval base in Yauri. You know, in Yauri we have River Niger which needs to be maned by heavy security architecture.

“Kebbi is very strategic, because we share boarder with Niger and Benin Republics and with the incursion of Lakurawa, we feel we need additional security to man River Niger.

“In the area, we only have marine police and they are not many,” he noted.

The governor recalled that Benin Republic used to be one of the peaceful countries in Africa, “however, the country is also facing challenges of security, not to talk of Niger Republic, and Kebbi shares boarder with the two countries.”

He assured the delegation that the state government would do everything possible to create enabling environment for them to operate.

Idris observed that the gesture by the Nigerian Navy was for the good of Kebbi people, assuring that a temporary accommodation would be provided for the take-off, pending the construction of their permanent structure.