Navy Reaffirms Commitment To Protect Nation’s Maritime Domain

The Nigerian Navy  has reaffirmed its commitment to protect the nation’s maritime domain against piracy and other criminal activities.
The Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS) Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, made the statement while briefing newsmen on the CNS Annual Sea Exercise, Tagged ‘Eagle Eye’ at its’ Headquarters, Abuja.
He was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Adm. Jacob Ajani, at the Naval Headquarters.
Ibas said that the exercise would afford the service the opportunity to assess the state of combat readiness of NN in responding to emerging maritime security challenges.
He said it would also enable the NN to showcase itself to the Nigerian public and the larger Gulf of Guinea. 
According to the CNS, the exercise include assessing the readiness and operational state of the most NN fleet, as well as testing the capability of the operational commands in the conduct of riverine and choke point regimes. 
Ibas explained further that they would also practice the fleet in tactical manoeuvres and anti-piracy patrols while assessing the engagement capability of NN Special Boat Service (SBS).
” The Ex Eagle Eye will be used to practice the command’s intelligence sharing with other maritime security agencies, especially with respect to surveillance, threat assessment and operational engagement.
“The Ex Eagle Eye will also identify inadequacies in skills, training and doctrinal practices in NN operations and assess the effectiveness of NN logistics support practices,” he said. 
Ibas said the other objective of the exercise was to raise awareness and develop procedures for for implementation of the National Counter Terrorist Strategy (NACTEST).
He said that the exercise would also involve the Harmonised Standard Operating
Procedure (HSOP) on arrest, detention and prosecution of vessels as well as owners involved in maritime crimes. 
“The Ex Eagle Eye is set against the background of a myriads of threats and insecurity within and around the nation’s maritime which have challenged the operational capability and capacity of NN.
” The exercise will go a long way in making the nation’s maritime domain free of crimes,” he said. 
The CNS noted that the undesirable security trend had compelled NN to take actions in response to the situation by activating a number of operational initiatives, such as ” Operation Tsare Teku”.
He said all these efforts were geared toward making the nation’s maritime domain free from piracy and other related crimes.