Chief of Naval Staff visits Lake Chad

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas undertook an on the spot assessment on the ground at the Naval Out Post Lake Chad (NOP) situated on the outskirts of Baga Town.
A statement by Christian Ezekobe, Commodore, Director of Information Navy, said that the CNS inspected the temporary accommodation site at the College of Fresh Water Fisheries at Baga as well as facilities at the temporary site at the Fish Dam some 8km North East of the College.
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, Brig Gen. Saram. The CNS was briefed on current activities in the general area of operation by the Commander, Special Task Force Brigade as well as the Comd Naval 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 isolated islands on the Lake Chad.
At the NOP site, the Chief of the Naval Staff was received by Alhaji Modu Alhaji Musa who is the Chief of Staff to Alhaji Kassim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State. The Chief of Staff informed the Chief Naval Staff that the area used to be a trading base with links to Chad where several 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 synergy with other security agencies that the Nigerian Navy would eliminate the remnants of the BHT on the Islands and restore it to its former position as a cross border trading post.
The Commander, Naval Out Post Lake Chad, Captain Dangwell also informed the CNS of the wanton destruction that had taken place in the area resulting 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 approach to the Naval Out Post was challenged by very sandy terrain and requested the state to kindly assist in making it motorable. The Chief of the Naval Staff further assured the community that the NN would help improve security as well as provide certain immediate reliefs including medical care. Having had a successful tour of the area, the CNS in company of the Theatre Commander, OPERATION LAFIA DOLE Maj Gen LEO Irabor departed the Baga area by helicopter at about 1230hrs for Maiduguri.
Earlier on the CNS had been briefed by the Comd OPERATION LAFIA DOLE on the general security challenges in the North East. The CNS also paid courtesy calls on the State Government and the Shehu of Borno.