LAGOS- The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday inducted 243 Recce Battalion Nigerian Army, Ibereko, Badagry, into the South-West Joint TaskForce Operation AWATSE to check smuggling activities within the area.
Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan, the Taskforce Commander, South-West Op AWATSE of Nigerian Navy, said the inclusion of the Army was to check smuggling of refined petroleum products, narcotics, and foreign-parboiled rice into the country.
Hassan, who is also the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Western Naval Command Operation, said that having identified manpower gap in coverage of operations, the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, graciously approved the inclusion of 243 Battalion of Nigerian Army.
“We are leveraging this induction to revamp our effort under operation Water Guard which has been reinvigorated, renamed Operation Water Guard II, which will be launched today.
“Badagry, a place of great historical significance in our nation has been identified as one of the routes for smuggling of refined petroleum products, narcotics, foreign-parboiled rice and trafficking of young girls.
“This poses great challenges, and constitutes economic sabotage which threaten the security and prosperity of our nation.
“It is, therefore, our solemn duty as a force under the auspices of the JTF OP AWATSE operating in Badagry axis of the southwest to tackle these issues head-on.
“The extant Operation Water Guard was an initiative that embodies our commitment to put an end to these unlawful activities.
“Without a doubt, a lot has been achieved in this regard.
“It is, however, believed that the induction of Nigerian Army today will add more impetus on land to what the operation has been doing in the maritime space and the littoral of Badagry general area,” he said.
Hassan said that the command had provided helicopter, trucks and pick-up vans to combat smuggling in the area.
He urged community leaders in Badagry to support the task force in fighting smuggling.
The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Capt. Augustus Amakiri, said Operation Water Guard was flagged off on Nov.9, 2023, to stem the tide of smuggling activities within Badagry and adjoining areas known for criminal hotspot.
“The smuggling activities include smuggling of refined petroleum products, foreign parboiled rice and narcotics as well as human trafficking across our borders.
“These criminal activities constitute not only security threats, but also economic sabotage which threatens the security and prosperity of our great nation.
“On the other hand, the JTF SW Op Awatse was launched and became fully operational today.
“Its mandate includes curbing pipeline vandalism, theft of petroleum products and protection of critical petroleum pipelines.
“Others are anti-cultism and anti-smuggling along the axis of Atlas cove and Ogun State.
“To further consolidate on the gains achieved, the CDS saw the need to conceptualise both operations so as to boost the efforts of the troops for joint action required to stamp out smuggling and other criminal activities within the maritime space.
“Therefore, the induction of the 243 Recce Battalion of Nigerian Army into OP Awatse and revamp of OP Water Guard II is expected to go a long way in curtailing the menace of smuggling and other criminal vices.
“Therefore, the induction of soldiers into operation and launch of Operation Water Guard II is expected to go a long way in curtailing the menace of smuggling,” he said.
In his remarks, Lt.-Col. A M. Abdu, the Commanding Officer, 243 Recce Barracks, Nigerian Army, Ibereko, Badagry, said they were ready, committed, and deeply motivated to execute their duties with precision, discipline, professionalism, and loyalty.
“We stand ready and resolute to carry out this mission with excellence and honour..
“Your visit serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of our duty and the significance of this operation in safeguarding our nation’s security.
“As we commence Operation AWATSE, we are filled with renewed purpose and resolve,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Operation WATER GUARD was later launched by the commander with the attendance of the two commanding officers of Nigerian Army and other stakeholders. (NAN)
