The strategic support of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (NNFOB), Bonny in Rivers State to the operations of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta region, also known as Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has been acknowledged. 

The Commander of the OPDS; Rear Admiral John Okeke made this acknowledgement on Thursday, March 14, 2024 when he visited the Forward Operating Base in Bonny, Rivers State.

He pointed out that though he just recently assumed his tour of duty as Commander of the OPDS, he had already noted the huge support the NNFOB was availing the OPDS, expressing his appreciation for the reception given him and his entourage at the Base.

“I just started and, therefore, we thank you for the reception, for everything and for the support of your operations.”

The OPDS Commander was accompanied by the Maritime Component Commander, OPDS; Commodore Adedokun Siyanbade, Land Component Commander, OPDS; Brig Gen. Edet Effiong, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) Component Commander, Deputy Commandant Danlami, and the Commanding Officer, 146 Battalion, Nigerian Army; Lt. Col. Oyemade Oyewumi.

Others were the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) of Finima and Bonny Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Abubakar Sadiq and Superintendent of Police Anthony Chijioke, Local Government Security Officer, State Security Service, Bonny Division, Ebi Embassy, and Police, DSS, NSCDC and NDLEA Component Commanders of OPDS Sector 3, Superintendent Hamidu Jalike, Bulum Dauda, Superintendent Sani Sa’ad, and Moses Ighews, respectively, among others.

Earlier, while presenting a souvenir to the OPDS Commander, the Commanding Officer of the NNFOB BONNY, Captain Maksum Mohammed thanked Rear Admiral Okeke for the visit.

Noting that it was morale booster for the officers and ratings of the Base, Capt. Mohammed assured of the continued synergy and support of the Base to the OPDS in furtherance of the mandate to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain and economic assets.

Upon arrival at the FOB, Capt. Mohammed had briefed the OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral John Okeke, alongside the Maritime Component Commander, OPDS; Commodore Adedokun Siyanbade, Commander, 6 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt/Land Component Commander, OPDS; Brig Gen. Edet Effiong, Commanding Officer, 146 Battalion, Nigerian Army; Lt. Col. Oyemade Oyewumi, as well as Police, DSS and NSCDC Component Commanders of the OPDS of other security services on the operations of the Base.

The OPDS Commander later visited the Farouk Yahaya Camp, home of the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

The visit appears to be a strategic move to strengthen the security architecture of the Gulf of Guinea corridor, with a view to checkmating any form of threats to the nation’s economic assets or territorial integrity.