The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas undertook an on-the-spot-assessment at the Naval Outpost Lake Chad (NOP) situated on the outskirts of Baga Town, Borno State.
The CNS inspected the temporary, accommodation site at the College ofFresh Water Fisheries at Baga as well as facilities at the temporary site at the FishDam some 8km North East of the College.
According to a statement by Commodore Christian Ezekobe, Director of Information Navy, on arrival at Baga the Chief of the Naval Staff was received by the GOC 8Div Brig Gen Nani as well as the Commander 7 Special Task Force Brigade, BrigGen Saram. The CNS was briefed on current activities in the general area ofoperation by the Commander Special Task Force Brigade as well as the ComdNaval Out Post Lake Chad Navy Captain DD Dangwel.
The CNS was informed that the BHT had been routed out of their last stronghold of Malamfatori while pockets of their elements were said to be on isolatedislands on the Lake Chad.
At the NOP site the Chief of the Naval Staff was received by Alhaji ModuAlhaji Musa who is the Chief of Staff to His Excellency Alhaji Kassim Shettimathe Executive Governor of Borno State. The Chief of Staff informed the Chief of the Naval Staff that the area used to be a trading base with links to Chad wereseveral forms of commodities were traded. He on behalf of the state and local community welcomed the Navy to the community and was hopeful that in synergywith other security agencies that the Nigerian Navy would eliminate the reminantsof the BHT on the Islands and restore it to its former position as a cross bordertrading post.
The Commander Naval Out Post Lake Chad, Captain Dangwell alsoinformed the CNS of the wanton destruction that had taken place in the arearesulting to the disruption of not only essential support facilities but also all forms of telecommunications. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas noted that the approachto the Naval Outpost was challenged by very sandy terrain and requested the stateto kindly assist in making it motorable. The Chief of the Naval Staff furtherensured the community that the NN would help improve security as well as providecertain immediate reliefs including medical care. Having had a successful tour ofthe area the CNS in company of the Theatre Commander, OPERATION LAFIADOLE Maj Gen LEO Irabor departed the Baga area by helicopter at about 1230hrsfor Maiduguri.
Earlier on the CNS had been briefed by the Comd OPERATION LAFIADOLE on the general security challenges in the North East. The CNS also paidcourtesy calls on the State Government and the Shehu of Borno.
