By Summary
- The Nigerian Navy is preparing to establish a naval base in Yauri, Kebbi, as announced during a visit by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s delegation to Governor Nasir Idris
- Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu emphasised that the base will enhance Nigeria’s maritime strategy and improve security both offshore and along the inland waterways, addressing rising criminal activities on the River Niger
- He noted that despite its vital role in agriculture and power generation, the river has been exploited by criminals for smuggling and increasing insecurity
- Governor Idris expressed strong support for the initiative, recognising its importance for enhancing security in Kebbi due to its strategic location bordering Niger and Benin Republics
The Nigerian Navy has finalised arrangements to establish a naval base in Yauri, Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi. This information was unveiled by a delegation from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, during a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Thursday, July 31.
The leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, stated that the visit was part of the initiative to expand the maritime strategy of the Nigerian Navy. He added that it would complement the statutory area of responsibility in the maritime domain offshore and support maritime security in the hinterland.
According to Nwatu, the River Niger is a significant national asset that has contributed greatly to the country by supporting agriculture and power generation, serving as a source of livelihood for its citizens. He stated, “Unfortunately, with the insurgency and conflicts in Nigeria, that same River Niger, despite its great potential, is being utilised by some criminal elements to escalate the level of insecurity in our country. We have noticed that the River Niger has become a convergence point for criminals and a route for smuggling arms and other elements detrimental to our interests.”
Nwatu further expressed optimism that, with the support of the Governor and the people of Kebbi, this initiative would pave the way for an improved security framework for the country, particularly regarding safety in the Northwest.
Governor Idris, in his remarks, described the proposal as a very good and holistic development, given the security challenges affecting the southern part of Kebbi. He noted, “Kebbi is very strategic because we share borders with Niger and Benin Republics, and with the incursion of Lakurawa, we feel we need additional security to patrol the River, as we only have marine police, and their numbers are limited.”
The Governor assured the delegation that the state government would do everything possible to create an enabling environment for them to operate. The proposed base is expected to significantly strengthen the security architecture of the Northwest region, improve maritime policing, and deter the criminal exploitation of inland waterways.
