The Nigerian Navy has clarified reports that the outgoing Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, refused to hand over to his successor Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.

Ogalla was appointed on Monday, June 19, along with other service chiefs and a new inspector general of police.

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A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo- Vaughan, on Wednesday, said that the outgoing CNS was expected to give a detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.

Nigerian Navy — Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu

He described the reports of Gambo refusing to hand over as false and total lies.

The statement read in part, “The media reports are totally lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public. It is therefore necessary to put the record straight.

“Suffice to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural.

“Upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.

“Accordingly, the programme of events leading to the formal handing and taking over ceremony has kicked off to culminate at a public ceremony on Friday 23 June 2023 in line with age-long naval tradition.

“Instructively, it is pertinent to mention that sister Services are also due to hand over as they have set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a figment of the reporter’s imagination.”

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.