The Eastern Naval Command says it is ready to check and curb criminal activities in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, particularly within its areas of operation.
The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Olufemi Ogunjimi, said made the announcement at the conclusion of the three-day Eastern Naval Command Sea Exercise, named NDIKARA.
Ogunjimi said that the objective of the exercise was to sustain the achievement made in the Chief of Naval Staff Fleet Evaluation Exercise held last month.
The Eastern Naval Command says it is ready to check and curb criminal activities in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment, particularly within its areas of operation.
The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Olufemi Ogunjimi, said made the announcement at the conclusion of the three-day Eastern Naval Command Sea Exercise, named NDIKARA.
Ogunjimi said that the objective of the exercise was to sustain the achievement made in the Chief of Naval Staff Fleet Evaluation Exercise held last month.
“The exercise was aimed at increasing naval presence in order to curb the activities of crude oil thieves, illegal bunkerers, pirates and sea robbers, ‘’ he said.
According to him, the exercise which involves three ships, 16 gunboats and one helicopter also enabled him to evaluate the capabilities of participating ships, gunboats and helicopters.
“It was also meant to sharpen the professional skill of officers and ratings, ‘’ Ogunjimi added.
The FOC described the exercise as a huge success, commending the conduct of officers and men who took part in the exercise.
He said that several vessels were intercepted and interrogated during the exercise.
“This was a clear signal to would-be criminal elements that the Nigerian Navy is ready to check and curb their criminal activities, ‘’ he said.
He said that the lapses observed during the Fleet Evaluation Exercise in November were corrected in the just-concluded operation NDIKARA.
He disclosed further that other operational commands were expected to carry-out similar exercises immediately after that of the Eastern Naval Command.
Some of the ships that participated in the exercise include the newly acquired offshore patrol vessel, NNS THUNDER, NNS KYANWA and NNS BURUTU.
Ogunjimi said that during the exercise, the ships patrolled from River Calabar in Cross River to 10 nautical miles off the Bonga Oil Field.
“The exercise also covered the numerous creeks and estuaries in Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, ‘’ he added.
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