By John Ikani
The Nigerian Navy says it is perfecting plans to establish two additional operational bases in Cross River State.
Disclosing this in Calabar, the state capital on Thursday, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo said one of the bases would be an outpost at Ikang, and the other, a naval security station, at Dayspring Island.
Ikang and Dayspring Island are located in Bakassi Local Government Area in southern Cross River State.
Gambo who spoke during a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade at the Government House, Calabar, explained that the move was necessary due to the pressing security challenges bedevilling the Gulf of Guinea.
According to him: “we are aware of the security challenges in the state such as cultistism, kidnapping and other criminal elements. To that effect, it has been part of our strategic plan.
“It is expedient for us to establish the outpost and station in these locations to improve our security architecture in the state and of course, secure our maritime borders”.
Gambo further disclosed that the Navy was also collaborating with other security agencies such as the Army, the Air force and the Nigeria Police Force to achieve results.
In his remarks, Ayade commended the Navy for its security efforts in Cross River so far, which according to him, have “kept us out of the way of harm particularly knowing the complex nature of Cross River’s location vis a vis maritime security challenges.
The governor thanked the Naval Chief for the proposed Naval operational bases at Ikang and Dayspring Island, describing the development as deft moves to secure people of the area from criminal elements.
He however pleaded with the Navy to also establish a base around Esighi where the Bakassi Deep Seaport project is sited.
