Reps to scrutinise acquisition of foreign military platforms by Nigerian Navy

By Oluwakemi Kindness 

The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has resolved to scrutinise the process leading to the acquisition of foreign military platforms by the Nigerian Navy.

This is as the committee expressed it displeasure over the dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas.

Chairman of the committee, Representative Yusuf Gagdi, made this known while addressing newsmen after a meeting with the leadership of Nigerian Navy in Abuja on Monday.

Gagdi said the navy failed to respond to letters demanding for documents to facilitate effective oversight of the security agency, stressing that the committee was not carried along in the process.

According to him, the lawmakers are not satisfied with the acquisition of foreign platforms without the knowledge of the committee.

Gagdi said that the committee is dissatisfied with the navy over the manner it handled the disciplinary case of a personnel, Seaman Haruna Abbas, which led to his dismissal after six years in detention.

It was alleged that the officer, Abbas was held in detention for the period without trial over some disciplinary issues.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, told the committee that navy is facing several challenges.

Ogalla said the challenges include, inadequate resources to effectively carry its operations, amongst others.

He added that beyond its military responsibility, the navy also engage in policing the waterways, thus complementing the Nigeria Customs Service which with no deep-sea policing capacity.

END