From Mfon Ekefre, Uyo
The Nigerian Navy has warned civilians against the use of its stickers as such a person when arrested will face the full wrath of the law.
The warning become necessary following observations that non-naval personnel were using the stickers to engage in dubious activities that could tarnish the reputation of the Navy.
Commander, NNS-Jubilee base at Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Commodore David Adegbola Adeniran, gave the warning at the Naval base while receiving in audience Ikpa Ibekwe council of chiefs who paid him a condolence visit over the demise of a naval rating.
According to Adeniran, reports reaching the authority have it that people use the sticker to protect their criminal activities, particularly illegal oil bunkering and other related criminalities within the maritime environment.
The NNS-Jubilee commander said the condolence visit has strengthened them and showed that the community has the Navy’s interest at heart.
“It is quite unfortunate despite the risk associated with our job, one still prays and hope that things like this will not happen again. The comfort we have is that when we see our host communities coming to pay condolence visit as you have done now, we feel relieved that we have been working together and you recognize our effort towards ensuring security of your community,” he said.
The clan head of Ikpa Ibekwe clan council of chiefs, Etebom Akpan Akpan Uwa Unio II, who was accompanied by the village head of Ikot Abasi, Eteidung Inua Eshiet Ubeng and secretary of the council, Mr. Udo Akpaneno, said their visit was to sympathize with the navy authority of the family for the unfortunate demise of one of their gallant ratings and son who died while in active service.
He prayed God to grant the bereaved family and the navy authority the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Uwa Unio II called on the federal government to expedite action on the commencement of work at the naval administration buildings and barracks as compensation has been paid for the acquired land at Ikot Abasi.
He commended the role of the navy in policing the maritime environment, saying this had enhanced helped in curtailing the menace of illegal oil bunkering operations, piracy and acts of vandalism on pipelines within the shoreline in the area.
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