Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, the former chief of the naval staff, has received praise from a group called Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies for his tenacity in forging a robust, responsive, and forward-thinking naval force capable of defending the country’s maritime environment.
It stated that under Gambo’s leadership, the Nigerian Navy accomplished several laudable milestones in 29 months, including recapitalization and strengthening collaborative efforts with domestic and international stakeholders.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Refit and Remodelling of Nigeria’s Flagship, NNS ARADU, and placing an order for two high-endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels, currently being built by Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey, were among the accomplishments noted. Also delivered were the brand-new NNS LANA (new Hydrographic Survey Vessel) and NNS KADA, Nigeria’s newest Warship.
The convener, Mary Fatile, included them in a statement on Saturday.
The first Presidential Fleet Review of the Nigerian Navy since 2010 was held in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari under the command of 57-year-old dynamic Gambo, during which two new ships and a new helicopter were commissioned into service.
He actively combated oil theft by launching Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, which is regarded as the largest anti-oil theft military operation in Nigerian history and involved the deployment of 40 warships, 200 gunboats, five helicopters, and other resources.
In the first year he was in office, this operation resulted in the seizure of more than 71 billion dollars’ worth of goods, including 728,000 barrels of crude oil, 44.5 million litres of illegally refined diesel and 2.46 million litres of kerosene, according to the statement.
Moreover, the Falcon Eye Alignment, one of Africa’s most advanced domain awareness systems and a cutting-edge maritime surveillance and intelligence system, was put into service during his leadership.
Fatile noted that Gambo’s administration advanced its efforts to promote local content, finished building the third Seaward Defence Boat (SDB-3), and started simultaneously building the SDBs 4 and 5.
She praised Vice Admiral Gambo’s work in maritime survey and law enforcement and stated that he “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 investigate and unravel formidable factors that can ensure a ready naval fleet poised to reduce maritime insecurity for the prosperity of the nation’s economy, leaving indelible marks on the sand of time in the Nigerian Navy.
