The Nigerian Navy said it has concluded arrangements to relocate the Naval Training Command headquarters from Lagos to Onne in Rivers State.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, disclosed this when he led a delegation of top officers of Navy High Command on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Ogalla described that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State as conjoined twins who cannot do without each other.

He stated, “The purpose of my coming here today is three-fold. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings in order to beef up our strength.

“The second reason is to first appreciate the governor and the entire Rivers State government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in the Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

“We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carry out our duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.’’

“We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.”

Ogalla said the Navy had in recent times made commendable strides in its fight against crimes, following a charge by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the Nigerian Navy, under his watch, had impounded 14 vessels caught with stolen crude oil, adding that several arrests were made.

“I am here today to report Sir, that, with Operation Delta Sanity launched in January 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.

“Over 14 large crude-carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organisations that are involved in oil theft.

“As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there have been tremendous improvements in terms of security in the maritime environment,” Ogalla added.