Nigeria Navy Warships conclude Exercise in Gulf of Guinea, return to Base
No fewer than 10 Nigerian Navy Warships have returned to Base after a Military Exercise to checkmate Criminals in the Nation’s Waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
The Warships are Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Sagbama, NNS Nwamba, NNS Ibeno, NNS Dorina, NNS Gongola, NNS Ikene, NNS Badagry, NNS Oji, NNS Ose and NNS Okpoku.
Addressing Journalists after the Warships berthed in Onne, Rivers, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Umar Chugali said the Exercise code-named “Exercise Sea Guardian” was a huge success.
He said Troops participated in Anti-Crude Oil Theft Operation, Vessel Seizure, Fleet Manoeuvres, Man Overboard and Gunnex.
“Other activities include Communications and Emergency Drills such as Firefighting, Steering Gear Breakdown, Machinery Failure, Abandon and Man and Cheer ship.
“The Exercise was used to exercise and demonstrate the capacity and capability of our Ships at Sea, to secure Nigeria’s Maritime Space and the Gulf of Guinea.
“The four-days Exercise was used to highlight our readiness in tackling all forms of Maritime Crimes within Nigeria’s Maritime Environment and GoG,” he added.
Chugali said aside the Warships, two attack Helicopters and a Detachment of the Navy’s Special Boat Service, equivalent to United States Navy Seals, participated in the exercise.
Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire, Flag Officer Commanding ENC, said the exercise was carried out by troops from both Eastern and Central Naval Commands located in Calabar and Yenagoa, respectively.
He said the Exercise was part of actionable steps taken by the Nigeria Navy to end Crude Oil Theft, Sea Robbery and Sea Piracy, among others, in Nigeria’s Waters.
“We are using this Exercise to test our capability and readiness to safeguard our waters and the GoG from Criminals.
“We are doing our best to present the best foot (Personnel) in our deployments – both in terms of Personnel and Assets,” Oluwagbire said.
For his part, the Commanding Officer, NNS Sagbama, Cdr. Stephen Ebute said the Exercise had improved the expertise of Troops in Onshore and Offshore operations.
According to him, it was a platform for the troops, including commanding officers of the various warships, to enhance their training objectives and operational realities.
“This will enable us to expertly tackle Emergencies in our Ships as well as curtailing the various threats in our Maritime Domain,” he added.
New in Pictures
Nigerian Navy launches new Offshore Patrol Vessels
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has launched a High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (HE OPVs) for the Nigerian Navy at the Dearsan Shipyard, Tuzla in Istanbul, Turkey.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, on Sunday in Abuja.
Ayo-Vaughan said the Vessel is one of two 76m HE OPV awarded to be constructed by Dearsan Shipyard on November 3, 2021, while actual construction began on September 16, 2022.
Ogalla, said the Vessels were meant to add to the Fleet of the Nigerian Navy and enhance its capacity in the protection of Nigeria’s Maritime Domain.
“Today’s Ceremony is, therefore, a solemn one in which the Ship is dedicated and committed to the Sea, while also praying for blessings of good fortune for the Ship, its Crew and its Passengers.
“These Ships when fully completed and commissioned into the Service of the NN, would complement and further sustain the efforts of the Fleet in ensuring Naval presence at Sea.
“This would help to curb the menace of Oil Theft and other illegalities in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment in particular and the Gulf of Guinea in general.
“Additionally, the OPV would assist the NN in managing Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including provision of Maritime Security and effective disaster relief,” he said.
Ogalla thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to the Project and commitment to the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet.
He said the Federal Government was committed to its obligations towards the successful completion of the two OPVs.
The CNS appreciated the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, the Nigerian Defence Adviser, Dearsan Shipyard, the Nigerian Navy Project Control Team in Turkey and others for their various contributions.
“Following this giant step of the Launching Ceremony of the first 76m HE OPV P203, it is expected that all the Ship’s installations would be fixed, connected and worked between January and May 2024.
“Other expectations include conducting Harbour acceptance test for the Ship between July and August 2024 and delivery of the Ship in August 2024 or September 2024.
“It is also planned that the Launching Ceremony of the second 76m HE OPVP 204 will hold in February 2024 at the Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey,” he said.
The CNS expressed satisfaction with the commitment of Dearsan Shipyard towards timely delivery of the two HE OPVs, and sustaining the mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and Turkey.
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