NAVY DEPLOYS THREE HELICOPTERS, NINE SHIPS FOR MARITIME INSPECTION

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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR

In order to demonstrate its battle readiness in defending the country’s economic assets throughout its territorial waters, the Nigerian Navy claimed that three helicopters, nine ships, and multifunctional attack boats were sent out for a special sea inspection. According to the Navy, the yearly drill will also equip its officers and personnel to effectively safeguard the nation’s marine interests. At the Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE in Onne, Rivers State, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, launched the exercise, code-named “Ex Din Mingi,” which means “safe waters” in Ibani. “Ex Din Mingi” stands for the Nigerian Navy’s four pillars of professionalism, operational readiness, welfare, and interagency cooperation, according to Okehie.

Several multipurpose attack facilities from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy are also used in the three-day exercise, which started on Tuesday with the subject “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration.” “Nine ships of various classes, helicopters from the Nigerian Air Force and Navy, Epsilon EP55 UAV, and multipurpose assault boats from the NA and NN would be deployed for the Exercise,” Okehie said. The opposition to boarding a supposedly hijacked LNG ship is especially noteworthy. This development recognizes the peculiar characteristics of vessels transporting LNG and the specialized knowledge needed to neutralize threats without jeopardizing the integrity and safety of the vessel.

“In addition, some officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency will embark to assist in identifying psychoactive substances on a suspected ship as part of efforts to foster collaboration.”

He continued, “The exercise is to assess operational readiness of Eastern fleet, display a multi-agency and multi-dimensional approach by deploying platforms, including air assets, to deny criminal elements freedom of action.”

On the impact of previous exercises, Rear Admiral Okehie said, apart from enhancing the force capabilities to face real events in the maritime space, it fosters inter-agency collaboration and harmonisation.

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“In the Armed Forces, we need retraining to perform our daily operations. So the exercise is part of our training objectives to ensure that the men are combat-ready to take on their duties.

“The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has clearly declared his mission as to deploy a highly motivated and professional Naval Force, capable of securing Nigerian Maritime interests, and for the purpose of effective and diligent operations, to maintain national stability.”

In his remarks, the Officer in Tactical Command, Rear Admiral KO Oguntuga, urged participating personnel to approach the Exercise with professionalism, vigilance, and strict adherence to safety.

Oguntuga noted that every operation at sea offers an opportunity to refine skills and strengthen teamwork.