The Nigerian Navy has vowed to sustain stronger operations against piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, smuggling and other forms of maritime criminality in Cross River State.

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The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, made this known on Thursday during the closing ceremony of the three-day maiden Intra-Command Maritime Tactical Live Firing Exercise, codenamed Exercise Littoral Fury, held in Cross River State.

Okehie said the exercise was designed to expose naval personnel to realistic operational situations and improve their ability to respond rapidly and effectively to maritime security threats.

He said the exercise would also strengthen joint and coordinated responses among security agencies operating within the maritime environment.

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According to him, the littoral environment presents unique operational challenges that require specialised skills, appropriate tactics, effective communication and seamless coordination among security agencies.

“The littoral environment presents unique operational challenges that require specialised skills, appropriate tactics, effective communication and seamless coordination among security agencies,” he said.

The Eastern Naval Command chief added that the command had continued to leverage technology, innovation and intelligence-driven operations to enhance its capacity to detect and respond to maritime crimes.

Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, said the exercise demonstrated the Navy’s operational readiness, tactical agility and discipline.

Ibrahim said the exercise was part of efforts to develop a modern, agile and professional naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives.

He said the exercise enabled participating gunboats, air assets and operational units to test their weapon systems, improve inter-service communication and validate joint littoral manoeuvre doctrines.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria