text: Navy deploys ships, patrol boats for operation `Octopusgrip' in Bayelsa, Delta
  Home More Maritime Navy deploys ships, patrol boats for operation `Octopusgrip' in Bayelsa, Delta
  The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Adm. Bello Al-Hassan, Thursday announced that the command would soon commence riverine and sea exercises, code-named "Octopusgrip,'' in Bayelsa and Delta, Sahara Reporters reports.
  It will be recalled that the Nigerian Army had on October 13, 2017, launched its ongoing 'Operation Crocodile Smile II' scheduled to last for the next one month. Al-Hassan said seven ships and 37 riverine boats would be involved in the operation of the high sea exercise. Al-Hassan said that the exercise was expected to last from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
  He said the command in Jan. launched "Operation Rivers Sweep.''"So far, the operation has recorded huge success in reducing crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other maritime crimes. Between May and Sept. this year, the command seized and destroyed about 870,000 MT of illegally refined crude oil. Also, over 400 illegal refineries were destroyed, including 85 boats used by oil thieves,'' he said.