The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral IE Ibas, has concluded an on-the-spot assessment of the ground at the Naval Outpost Lake Chad (NOP) situated at the outskirts of Baga town.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Information, Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, the CNS inspected the temporary accommodation site at the College of Fresh Water Fisheries at Baga as well as facilities at the temporary site at the Fish Dam some 8km North East of the College.

According to the statement, “On arrival at Baga the CNS was received by the GOC 8 Division, Brig. Gen. Nani, as well as the Commander 7 Special Task Force Brigade, Brig. Gen. Saram. The CNS was briefed on current activities in the general area of operation by the Commander Special Task Force Brigade as well as the Commander, Naval Outpost Lake Chad Navy Captain DD Dangwel.

“The CNS was informed that the Boko Haram terrorists had been routed out of their last stronghold of Malamfatori while pockets of their elements were said to be on isolated islands on the Lake Chad.

“At the NOP site the CNS was received by Alhaji Modu Alhaji Musa, who is the Chief of Staff to Governor Kassim Shettima of Borno State. The Chief of Staff informed the CNS that the area used to be a trading base with links to Chad where several forms of commodities were traded. He, on behalf of the state and local community, welcomed the Navy to the community and was hopeful that in synergy with other security agencies that the Nigerian Navy would eliminate the remnants of the insurgents on the islands and restore it to its former position as a cross border trading post.

“The Commander Naval Outpost Lake Chad, Captain Dangwell also informed the CNS of the wanton destruction that had taken place in the area resulting to the disruption of not only essential support facilities but also all forms of telecommunications.”

Ezekobe further disclosed that Vice Admiral Ibas noted that the approach to the Naval Outpost was challenged by very sandy terrain and requested the state to kindly assist in making it motorable.

He said: “The CNS further assured the community that the NN would help improve security as well as provide certain immediate reliefs including medical care. Having had a successful tour of the area the CNS in company of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Leo Irabor, departed the Baga area by helicopter at about 1230hrsfor Maiduguri.

“Earlier on the CNS had been briefed by the Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole on the general security challenges in the North East. The CNS also paid courtesy calls on the state government and the Shehu of Borno.”

•Photo shows Vice Admiral IE Ibas.

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