Responding to what it described as a ‘Mischievous Video in Circulation Concerning a Nigerian Navy Ship in Distress’, the Navy urged the general public to jettison the video in totality.
In the video, a crew member of a Service Boat MV Pacesetter which signified interest to assist the Distressed Navy Ship, NNS Thunder, could be seen lamenting on “why a Nigerian Navy war ship should be in such a terrible and helpless situation at sea, and calling on Nigerians to vote for a particular Presidential candidate, otherwise the country will sink just like NNS Thunder”.
The full statement issued by the Navy spikesperson , Commodore AO Ayo Vaughan, read as follows:
MISCHIEVOUS VIDEO IN CIRCULATION CONCERNING NIGERIAN NAVY SHIP IN DISTRESS
The attention of the Nigerian Navy (NN) has been drawn to a derogatory video circulating on social media platforms emanating from an unidentified crew member of a service boat, Motor Vessel (MV) PACESETTER, stating that Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS THUNDER) was under distress and MV PACESETTER was dispatched to rescue NNS THUNDER and possibly evacuate NNS THUNDER’s crew or tow the Ship. In the video, the MV PACESETTER crew member lamented on why a Nigerian Navy war ship should be in such a terrible and helpless situation at sea, calling on Nigerians to vote for a particular Presidential candidate otherwise the country will sink just like NNS THUNDER. Ordinarily, such a mischievous video would have been ignored in that it is clearly from an unpatriotic, clueless and unprofessional seafarer. But considering that such video is capable of being exploited for negative political gains at this electioneering period, the NN wishes to set the records straight for the benefit of all Nigerians.
On 28 January 2023, NNS THUNDER was at sea proceeding for Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2023 when she was reported to be experiencing water ingress from a screw at the Ship’s rudder about 30nm offshore Escravos. The Ship used her submersible pumps and crew to pump out the water. However, after several efforts, the Ship sent out a distress call to NNS DELTA, Naval Base Warri as well as other vessels within its vicinity for possible assistance. Consequently, NNS DELTA, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos which are NN units nearby, as well as Motor Tanker (MT) UGO and MV PACESETTER contacted NNS THUNDER to render necessary assistance. Currently, the situation is under control as the Commanding Officer of NNS THUNDER has confirmed that the water ingress has been contained and the Ship is proceeding to Lagos as initially planned.
The NN therefore wishes to call on the general public to jettison the video in totality. The public is also advised to desist from involving the NN in any form of politicking now and even beyond this election season as the NN remains apolitical and will not tolerate such careless mischief from individuals or groups. The Navy will focus on her statutory responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment against all forms of criminality so that maritime trade and crucial offshore economic related activities thrive seamlessly.
You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public.
Signed
AO AYO-VAUGHAN
Commodore
Director of Information.
However, the Navy in a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan said, “”The Navy will focus on her statutory responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment against all forms of criminality so that maritime trade and crucial offshore economic related activities thrive seamlessly.
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