The Nigeria Navy has announced the successful securing of the country’s territorial waters, ensuring a safe environment for local and international merchant ships to conduct their trade without the threat of criminal attacks.
Rear Adm. Zakariyya Muhammad, Chief of Training and Operations, Nigeria Navy, made this declaration during a briefing with the press in Onne, Rivers State, following the conclusion of a four-day naval expedition codenamed “Exercise Nchekwa Oshimiri 2023”.
During the four-day exercise, which was tagged ‘Chief of the Naval Staff 2023 Annual Sea Inspection’, a total of 13 warships, 88 patrol boats, two helicopters, and 4,000 personnel were deployed.
Muhammad emphasized that the navy’s enhanced presence at sea has restored confidence among merchant ships and other maritime stakeholders, allowing them to conduct legitimate activities without fear.
He stated, “Exercise Nchekwa Oshimiri has enhanced the training of personnel onboard our ships for better performance in delivering our constitutional mandate of securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.”
Furthermore, Muhammad highlighted the positive impact of the secured maritime environment on Nigeria’s economic zone and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) security, emphasizing that the increased naval presence has provided confidence for merchant ships to carry out their trade without the threat from maritime criminal elements.
He also acknowledged that the exercise has bolstered security within the Gulf of Guinea, reassuring sister navies and countries of Nigeria’s commitment to maritime security.
Sharing his perspective, Navy Capt. Tony Archibong, Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Kada, praised the exercise as an enormous success.
He emphasized that Exercise Nchekwa Oshimiri was a proactive measure to combat oil theft, sea robbery, piracy, and illegal fishing within Nigeria’s waters.
According to Archibong, the exercise served to enhance the operational capability of the Navy’s fleets through real-time operational scenarios, and to instill confidence in the security architecture, thereby benefiting both the Nigerian people and other maritime stakeholders.
The activities conducted during the exercise included anti-bunkering operations, fleet manoeuvring, gun exercises, and replenishment (refuelling of warships from another) among others.
With the Navy’s efforts to secure the maritime environment, the declaration signifies a significant milestone in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s waters, fostering a conducive atmosphere for local and international trade.
