Navy redoubles effort to protect critical assets

The Central Naval Command on Tuesday flagged off a sea exercise at the NPA jetty in Warri, Delta State, to ensure that critical national assets in the Niger Delta region remain protected.

The Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, said the land, air and sea operation is geared towards boosting Nigeria’s oil production.

The exercise was code-named Exercise EBI TORU, which is an Ijaw word for Safe Sea.

Speaking, Ibrahim tasked officers and men of the Nigerian Navy and other paramilitary officers on ensuring maritime security.

Ibrahim said, “The exercise represents yet another deliberate step by the Central Naval Command towards enhancing maritime security, strengthening inter-agency cooperation and ensuring the safety of lives and property within our maritime environment.”

“The EX EBI-TORU is designed to sharpen our operational readiness, improve our response capabilities, and enhance the synergy of all participating units and agencies,” he said.

He said the operation will involve a series of coordinated drills at sea and along the coastline, including protection of critical national infrastructure, maritime interdiction operations, anti-piracy operations, search and rescue procedures, anti-smuggling operations, and emergency response simulations.

“These activities are aimed at testing our proficiency, validating operational plans and reinforcing the high standards expected of our officers and ratings.”

“The maritime domain under the Central Naval Command remains central to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and blue economy agenda. Nigeria’s International Trade is projected as ₦38trn, of which the maritime sector accounts for an overwhelming significant volume, making it the lifeblood of the nation’s economy.

“Hence, the need for robust national maritime defence, in view of the ever-evolving threats within our Exclusive Economic Zone.”

He identified the threats facing the sector to include Illegal Unreported and Regulated Fishing, Marine Pollution, Arms Trafficking, Drug Smuggling, and Illicit Treading.

Others are Terrorism, Crude Oil Theft and Sea Robbery.

“Despite the deployment and use of Maritime Domain Awareness Capabilities and other platforms, the aforementioned threats persist.  Thus, exercises of this nature allow us to identify gaps, close vulnerabilities, and build the confidence required for real-time operations.

“It is for this purpose that the CNC considers it expedient to deploy available platforms and coordinate efforts towards ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in combating the prevailing threats within the AOR through Sea Ex.

“The primary objective of the Ex, therefore, is to sustain credible naval presence at sea to secure the maritime environment for national prosperity in line with the Objectives of the CNS Strategic Directives 2023-6.”

Ibrahiim added that the exercise will serve as preparation for the forthcoming CNS Annual Sea Inspection 2025 in Lagos.

“Furthermore, the Ex would allow the COs to assess the operational readiness of assigned ships in conducting evolutions such as COMMEX, Anti-piracy and anti-crude oil theft operations, VBSS, emergency drills and fleet manoeuvres,” he said.

The FOC then charged all participating ships to “strive towards realising the desired operational objectives of Ex EBI TORU”, saying he was optimistic that all hands would be on deck towards achieving the goals of the exercise.

He acknowledged the support from sister Services and partner agencies, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs Service, and other stakeholders in ensuring the safety of lives and critical national assets at sea.

He urged them to continue to play vital roles in fostering a safe and secure maritime environment.

He also urged naval officers, men, and civilian staff to approach the exercise with utmost seriousness and professionalism, noting that the lessons drawn will shape future operations and contribute significantly to the overall readiness of the command.

A simulation exercise, which included seizure of narcotics, arrest of sea pirates, among others, was showcased.