Group applauds ex-CNS Gambo for transforming Nigerian Navy

The former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has received praise from a group called Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies for his perseverance in creating a robust, responsive, and forward-looking naval force that is capable of defending the country’s maritime environment.

It was noted that the Nigerian Navy accomplished several laudable milestones under Gambo’s leadership in just 29 months, ranging from recapitalization to strengthening collaborative efforts with domestic and foreign stakeholders.

Among the accomplishments were the delivery of the brand-new NNS LANA (new Hydrographic Survey Vessel) and NNS KADA, Nigeria’s newest warship; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Refit and Remodelling of Nigeria’s Flagship, NNS ARADU; and the placing of an order for two high-endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels, currently being constructed by Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey.

These were included in a statement issued on Saturday by the convener, Mary Fatile.

“Under the direction of 57-year-old vivacious Gambo, the Nigerian Navy held its first Presidential Fleet Review since 2010 in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, during which two new ships and a new helicopter were commissioned into service.

With the deployment of 40 warships, 200 gunboats, five helicopters, and other assets, he vigorously combated oil theft by launching Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, which is regarded as the largest anti-oil theft military operation in Nigerian history.

In the first year he was in office, this operation resulted in the seizure of 728,000 barrels of crude oil, 44.5 million litres of illegally refined diesel and 2.46 million litres of kerosene, totaling more than 71 billion dollars’, the statement partially read.

Moreover, the Falcon Eye Alignment, a cutting-edge maritime surveillance and intelligence system that is also one of the most advanced domain awareness systems in Africa, was put into service during his leadership.

Fatile noted that during Gambo’s administration, local content work advanced, the third Seaward Defence Boat (SDB-3) was completed, and the simultaneous construction of SDBs 4 and 5 was started.

She praised Gombo’s work in law enforcement and maritime survey, adding that “In securing the Gulf of Guinea, Vice Admiral Gambo took the lead on the ongoing efforts to establish a Gulf of Guinea (GoG) Naval Task Force, and hosted meetings of the Heads of Navies and Coastguards of the Gulf of Guinea nations in Abuja in April 2023 and in Lagos in May 2023.

“Gambo has been able to explore and unwrap formidable factors that can guarantee a prepared naval fleet poised to alleviate maritime insecurity for the prosperity of the mainstay of the nation’s economy, thereby leaving indelible marks on the sand of time in the Nigerian Navy.