The Nigerian Navy Friday deployed 4,000 of its personnel, 13 warships, 88 boats and two helicopters, among others, ahead of the Chief of Naval Staff 2023 Sea Inspection exercise.
Also deployed include two special boat service elements, four maritime domain awareness facilities, four operation bases, two support units, as well as 4 platforms belonging to some crucial stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Flagging off the exercise on board the Nigerian Navy Ship Kada at Onne, Rivers State, the Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, charged the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy to keep up the good work in ensuring that the country is secured for thriving economic activities.
Matawalle said the efforts emplaced by navy to organise the exercise, which he said was aimed at ridding the country’s maritime environment of crimes in all ramifications, was impressive.
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He said the sea inspection exercise tagged, Nchekwa Oshimili (meaning securing the sea), was one of the several Nigerian Navy efforts at ensuring that the maritime domain is safe for commerce and economic activities for national prosperity.
The minister said he would ensure maximum support to the Navy to enable it carry out its mandate.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, said the annual Chief of Naval Staff Sea Inspection was aimed at accessing the operational state and readiness of the Nigerian Navy fleet to counter emerging maritime security threats in line with the country’s constitutional mandate.
