By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Shehu Tasiu Mohammed, has called on officers and personnel to strengthen their commitment to sacrifice as they confront persistent security challenges in the Niger Delta.
He spoke on Saturday in Warri during a familiarisation meeting with core professional journalists, where he linked the Easter season to the values of service, sacrifice and compassion expected of naval personnel.
According to him, the responsibilities of the Navy require constant readiness, as officers are frequently deployed at unusual hours to protect lives, secure property and ensure that economic activities continue without disruption.
He noted that the nature of their duty demands selflessness, explaining that while most citizens are asleep, naval personnel remain on duty to guarantee safety and stability across communities.
Mohammed also acknowledged the contribution of host communities, stating that their cooperation has played a key role in the success of operations in the region.
He added that the Navy would continue to build stronger relationships with these communities in order to sustain peace and improve living conditions in the Niger Delta.
On the role of the media, the commander stressed the need for accurate and responsible reporting, warning that misinformation often creates a false impression of the work of security agencies.
He observed that the rise of social media has made it easier for unverified reports to circulate, sometimes undermining the efforts of personnel on the ground.
Reflecting on his previous experience in Warri during a period of unrest, Mohammed said the Navy’s efforts were, at times, misrepresented, with actions not carried out by the force wrongly attributed to it.
He explained that legitimate operations were occasionally distorted, which created misleading narratives about the activities of the naval base.
The commander maintained that since many military operations take place away from public view, the role of credible journalists in reporting accurately becomes even more important.
He added that despite the sacrifices made by security personnel, a single negative report could overshadow numerous successes if not properly contextualised.
He therefore called for closer collaboration with professional journalists, describing them as essential partners in communicating the Navy’s achievements and challenges to the public.
He said, “In the spirit of Easter, which symbolises sacrifice, love and forgiveness, my message to our officers and civilian staff is that we must continue to sacrifice for our nation, the Nigerian Navy and for one another, including the communities we serve.
“Our job is one of sacrifice. While others sleep, we are out ensuring they sleep safely and that businesses run smoothly. That is why we must continue to demand more commitment from our personnel.
“We appreciate the continuous support of our host communities, which has made our work easier, and we will continue to support them to improve lives across the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
“The security challenges are enormous, and although we work tirelessly, a single negative incident can overshadow our efforts. This is why we rely on credible journalists to tell our stories accurately, as what they report is widely regarded as authentic.”
In response, journalists present, which included correspondents of Daily Champion, Galaxy TV Lagos, ThisDay, The Punch, ITV Benin, Daily Telegraph and The Nation, among others, commended the commander for his openness and engagement, while appealing for greater inclusion in the command’s activities to enhance balanced and factual reporting.
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