Nigerian Navy Inducts SSV KALI 3, Strengthen Partnership with SEEPCO to Protect Critical Energy Assets

The Nigerian Navy has strengthened its maritime security capability with the induction of Security Support Vessel (SSV) KALI 3 at Asemoku Jetty, Delta State, today, 18 August 2026, to enhance the protection of critical energy infrastructure and Nigeria’s maritime interests.
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The induction ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in the presence of the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, represented by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief (Sir) Monday John Onyeme, FCA, alongside senior military officers, government officials, traditional rulers, maritime stakeholders and representatives of the private sector.

SSV KALI 3 is the first of 10 Security Support Vessels being provided by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) under a Memorandum of Agreement with the Nigerian Navy. The initiative reflects a strategic public-private partnership aimed at translating private-sector investment into tangible maritime security capability.

Notably, KALI 3 was designed and built in Nigeria at the Okpai HM Shipyard in Delta State, in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, highlighting the growing contribution of indigenous shipbuilding capacity to national security and economic development.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of the Naval Staff emphasized that the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment and critical energy assets is essential to sustaining economic activity, particularly the oil and gas sector. He commended SEEPCO for its commitment to the initiative and urged other responsible maritime stakeholders to support partnerships that advance national security.

The vessel is designed to support coastal and offshore security, interdiction, anti-piracy operations, maritime law enforcement and escort duties, with capabilities suited to Nigeria’s complex coastal and shallow-water environment.

The CNS charged the personnel assigned to operate KALI 3 to uphold the ighest standards of professionalism, discipline, integrity and operational readiness, while reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that enhance maritime security.

SEEPCO

The induction of KALI 3, as the first of the 10-vessel arrangement, represents a practical convergence of maritime security, indigenous

shipbuilding and private-sector investment in support of Nigeria’s strategic economic interests.

Signed Abiodun Folorunsho Navy Captain Director of Naval Information
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Delta Deploys New Vessel to Secure Waterways, Assets Over Oil Theft

The Delta State Government has strengthened its maritime security operations by inducting a new security support vessel to help combat oil theft, illegal bunkering and other crimes on the state’s waterways.
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The vessel, SSV-KALI 3, was inducted on Tuesday at the Yade Barge, Niger River Bank, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the ceremony.

Oborevwori said the deployment of the vessel would boost efforts to secure waterways and protect critical oil and gas infrastructure across the state.

The governor, in a statement at the event, said improved maritime security was essential to protecting investments, increasing production and creating a safer environment for businesses operating in the oil and gas sector, adding that the vessel would support security agencies in tackling oil theft, illegal bunkering and other activities that could undermine the state’s economy.

“SSV-KALI 3 will add valuable capacity to these efforts; it will strengthen maritime security, help protect oil and gas assets, and support the fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes,” Oborevwori said.

The governor noted that the vessel was particularly significant because it was designed and constructed in the state, describing it as evidence of the state’s technical expertise and industrial capacity.

He also commended the partnership between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited and the Nigerian Navy, saying such collaboration demonstrated the importance of local content in strengthening Nigeria’s economy.

“This is an important occasion for SEEPCO, Delta State and Nigeria. We are celebrating not only a new security vessel, but also indigenous capacity, local content and a successful partnership between the private sector and the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

He added that the state government had been working with security agencies to improve intelligence sharing, coordination and rapid response, particularly around communities and waterways associated with oil and gas activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the induction highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and private sector operators.

Abbas said such partnerships were necessary to protect Nigeria’s maritime environment, critical energy infrastructure and businesses operating within the nation’s waterways.

He assured private sector organisations that the Nigerian Navy remained willing to collaborate with credible partners to improve maritime security and protect the country’s maritime interests.

Navy

Earlier, a representative of SEEPCO, Raj Bhargava, said the vessel was delivered in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to improve maritime safety and protect personnel working on the nation’s waterways.

The induction of SSV-KALI 3 is expected to strengthen security around Delta’s oil-producing communities and waterways, while supporting efforts to protect the infrastructure that drives economic activity in the state.
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Sokoto Police Kill two Bandits, Recover Stolen Motorcycles

The Sokoto State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on banditry, kidnapping and motorcycle theft, recording a series of operational successes across the state.
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The command said two suspected bandits were neutralised, several suspects arrested, firearms and ammunition recovered, while no fewer than 17 stolen motorcycles were recovered in operations targeting criminal syndicates.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatullah Shaffa, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the command’s recent achievements in the fight against violent crimes and other criminal activities.

He said the latest breakthrough against banditry occurred on August 15, when the command received information about an attempted attack on Ndankaradu village in the state.

According to him, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Voluntary Vigilante Group Rescue and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to the area.

“The gallant operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel which lasted for a considerable period. Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical manoeuvring of the joint team, the bandits fled into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds,” Shaffa said.

He added that a subsequent combing operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and 54 rounds of ammunition.

The police commissioner also announced the arrest of three suspected members of a motorcycle theft syndicate following credible intelligence.

He identified the suspects as Siba Abdullahi of Nimbisu village, Hassan Hassan of Tamaji and Osman Ishan of Ngorobu area, all in Sokoto.

Shaffa said five stolen motorcycles and a fabricated pistol were recovered from the suspects’ premises.

He disclosed that investigations were continuing, with efforts underway to arrest other members of the syndicate.

In a separate operation, the command arrested two suspects, Hamza and Yasser, following complaints by community leaders from Manababa, Mabira and Ngorongu areas over rising cases of motorcycle theft, extortion and illicit drug activities.

The CP said investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly worked with other individuals currently at large to steal motorcycles and sell them to buyers.

He said further investigation uncovered a network allegedly involved in forging documents for the stolen motorcycles.

“Further investigation revealed that some suspects were responsible for forging documents of the stolen motorcycles, while buyers of the stolen motorcycles have also been arrested,” he said.

Shaffa also disclosed the arrest of a suspected bandit, Abdullah Habuba, alias Osho, during an operation in Tudun Diki village.

He said the suspect was arrested on August 8 following credible intelligence and allegedly confessed to being a key member of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Gwadabawa, Bodinga and other parts of the state.

“Habuba is currently providing actionable intelligence to assist the police in tracking and arresting other members of the syndicate,” the CP said.

The command also recorded a breakthrough in a child abduction case after rescuing a 10-year-old boy, Mohammed Sofianu, who was reported missing in Gidambadi, Tangaza Local Government Area.

Shaffa said the child was allegedly lured into a room, injected with a sedative and forced into a sack.

“The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and discharged. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the case and is providing useful information to the police,” he said.

The CP said investigation into the incident was ongoing, while efforts were being made to apprehend other suspects allegedly connected to the crime.

Shaffa commended the officers and men of the Strike Force, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams for their professionalism, courage and swift response to criminal activities.

He assured residents that the command would sustain its operations against banditry, kidnapping, motorcycle theft and other forms of criminality.

“The command will not rest until all the fleeing suspects are apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.

Police

The commissioner warned criminals operating in Sokoto State that they would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Shaffa further warned members of the public against purchasing stolen motorcycles, stressing that buyers of stolen property would also face the law.

He called on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against involvement in criminal activities, assuring residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.
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