The Nigerian Navy has debunked reports that the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, accepted over $170 million in bribes and was involved in a multi-billion naira contract fraud over the last six months.

Naval spokesman, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement on Saturday, described the publications as untenable, baseless and untrue, attributing them to,

“The coordinated frantic efforts to blackmail the office and person of the CNS by some disgruntled elements who are feeling the heat of the Navy’s renewed vigour to fight crude oil theft and illegalities in the maritime domain”

Rear Admiral Ayo- Vaughan added that the Naval authorities are also aware of the activities of those who have, in one way or the other, short-changed the Navy before now.

The statement further noted that the continuous rejuvenated operations towards curbing oil theft has given the oil thieves sleepless nights hence the decision to engage in the malicious publications.

“Indeed, the Nigerian Navy (NN) is aware of these antics as it is expected considering the current resolve of the NN to engage oil thieves head-on. The cartel hitherto believed no individual could confront its ranks”

The Nigerian Navy pledges to ensure that legitimate businesses in the maritime domain continue to thrive seamlessly, and will not be distracted in its resolve to confront criminals who must be brought to justice for Nigeria’s economy to rebound.

It says:

“The security and economy of the Nation is greater than any group of persons that think they must continue to drain the country

Fortunately, the recent achievements of the NN in this regard have put them on their heels hence the resort to cheap blackmail”

(C) ControlTV 2024.