A call has been made for the Federal Government to enhance the Nigerian Navy by adequately equipping it to protect and guard the nation’s territorial waters.
The call was made by an elder statesman and renowned activist in the Niger Delta, Sokari Soberekon, while speaking exclusively with the South-South PUNCH.
He averred that this explains his opposition to the National Coast Guard Bill before the Senate.
The bill, which seeks to establish a National Coast Guard for the country, has passed its second reading in the Senate.
Soberekon urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to stop the bill’s passage.
He explained that his opposition to the bill is rooted in the historical resistance of the Ijaw and Niger Delta communities to foreign forces, particularly during the British colonial era.
Pointing to several historical instances when the region’s people fought to protect their lands and waterways from external control, he noted, “The Akassa Raid, in particular, serves as a poignant reminder of the Ijaw people’s resistance to colonial incursions. During the British colonial expansion, King Koko, the Mingi of Nembe, led a formidable resistance against the British forces in the Ijaw region.
“This resistance, which played a crucial role in preserving the people’s autonomy, is still celebrated as a symbol of defiance against foreign domination.”
Soberekon also draws attention to the British raids on Kalabari, Bonny, and the broader Bight of Biafra in the 18th century. Local communities resisted external forces until peace negotiations were brokered in 1775 AD.
These historical episodes according to him, highlight the deep-seated sentiment of resistance to foreign interventions in the region.
Insisting that he remains unequivocal in his stance to defend the Niger Delta, the retired soldier-turned-activist stressed that the establishment of a National Coast Guard, particularly one that operates independently of the Nigerian Navy, will be met with resistance by the Ijaw people.
He said, “I believe that any maritime security force other than the Nigerian Navy, especially an armed one, would be viewed as an intrusion into the territorial waters of the Ijaw and an affront to their sovereignty.
“I know my people, the Ijaws, any Coast Guard that is not the Nigerian Navy on the coast of the Ijaws will be resisted by the Ijaws.”
Insisting that the Nigerian Navy has long been entrusted with the responsibility of securing the nation’s coastlines and maritime zones and therefore remains the only legitimate force responsible for ensuring the security of Nigeria’s coastal waters.
He said, “The presence of any other security service would be seen as an attempt to undermine the authority and autonomy of the Navy, as well as a violation of the rights of the Niger Delta people.”
He therefore advocated support for the Nigerian Navy rather than creating a new force, saying, “The Nigerian government should focus on strengthening and equipping the existing Nigerian Navy. The Senate should pass a bill that would provide the Nigerian Navy with the requisite resources it needs to effectively secure Nigeria’s coastal and maritime regions.”
Specifically, Soberekon advocated for the acquisition of advanced technological equipment, including aircraft carriers, to ensure that the Navy remains fully equipped and capable of fulfilling its mission.
He enthused, “A fully equipped, armoured, and technologically sophisticated Nigerian Navy can maintain a state of readiness as a specialized service in support of the military in wartime.”
Addressing the urgent issues of coastal erosion, Soberekon also draws attention to the pressing environmental issues affecting the Niger Delta, particularly the erosion crisis that is threatening the livelihood of local communities.
He highlighted the plight of the people of Warri, where the Olu of Warri has raised alarms about the devastating effects of erosion, stressing that the government must prioritize efforts to reclaim lands affected by erosion, rather than focusing on increasing military presence on the coast.
He added, “We don’t need more gunboats on our coast. Besides the Nigerian Navy, no other armed forces should be patrolling our waters. Our focus should be on addressing the environmental crisis that is directly impacting our communities.”
Subsequently, he beseeched President Tinubu, the Senate, and other stakeholders to listen to the concerns of the Niger Delta people and respect the historical and cultural significance of their resistance to external control.