The military Joint Task force ( JTF) comprising the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air force joined force on Thursday, December 28, 2017 to launch operation Jagunlabi which is a show of force on Lagos creeks to fight the increasing menace of vandalism, sea piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping, militancy on Lagos waters.
The exercise is an offshoot of the ongoing operation AWATSE which means scatter in Hausa word is to further solidify the gains of the joint Task Force in battling vandalism and crude oil theft in Lagos creeks.
The exercise which was kicked off by the flag officer commanding western Naval command, Rear Admiral Slyvanus Abbah at the naval outpost in Majidun area of Ikorodu saw the JTF patrol both the waters and the land around that area.
Abbah was joined by Air officer commanding logistics command, Air vice Marshal Ibrahim Yahya, the General officer commanding, Major General Peter Dauke and the commander NNS Beecroft, Rear Amiral Maurice Eno.
The maritime operation kicked off from Majidun creek and saw the military gunboats patrol to Ebute waterside, Ibeshe ferry jetty and later to Oworonshoki jetty before heading back to the naval base.
The ground forces also took off from Majidun and stormed the Ikorodu garage roundabout, Ibeshe Ilaje, Imota, Isawo and rendezvoused back to the naval post.
Rear Admiral Abbah said the joint patrol means the three arms of services will pull resources and manpower together to tackle the menace of vandalism, kidnapping, sea robbery, sea piracy. Adding that the JTF might consider aerial bombardment with the aid of the air force if the need arise.
Commenting on the intelligence gathering, Abbah who addressed troops before the exercise began said they are to mix up with civilians in order to get them to loosen up. He said “operation AWATSE has been an ongoing operation and if you are in Lagos, I think this is the most peaceful festive period you have ever had in Lagos.
“We have been working before now, you know the criminals have been carrying out their nefarious act at the high sea which is sea robbery. “He said
He said the components of operation AWATSE will partner operation Niger Delta in order to tackle the issues of the influx of vandals and militants to Lagos water from neighboring creeks
“Although Lagos by itself is a peaceful place but the criminals come from elsewhere. For instance, the last attack that happened on Lagos waters, we have arrested so many of them and all of them are not from Lagos. Five of them are in our custody, they are not from Lagos but they have accomplices in Lagos whom gives them information which we are working to rid the state of all those things.
“Lagos is the hub of all activities. Anybody you kidnap in Lagos, you know that ransom can be handsomely paid so they plan to operate in Lagos. However, we are not resting on our oars to tackle this.” He stated
While talking about the operation, he explained that their presence there is just to meet with the soldiers and to share their problems in order to also address them. “ before now you know Majidun is a no go area but as you can see everybody is feeling happy and operating freely and that is why we want to make all those non-penetrable areas to be safe now for everyone to carry out their businesses. SP Operation Jagunlabi is a show of force to tell those boys (the militants) wherever they are that we are here for them. He concluded.