Nigeria Navy committed to strengthening regional security – Captain
Lagos, Nov.10, 2024
The Commanding Officer, Deep Blue (DB) ABUJA, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, said that the Nigerian Navy remains committed to fostering partnerships with allied and neighbouring nations’ navies to strengthen regional security and national security.
Udoessien said this on Day 6 of the Exercise GRAND AFRICAN NEMO which was Flagged off on Nov.4, 2024 for a 8-day multi-national maritime exercise aimed at strengthening the coordination of the fight against maritime insecurity.
The Exercise is organised in the framework of the implementation of the code of conduct resulting from the Yaoundé Protocol.
According to the captain, the Exercise for Nigeria involved Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS) KADA, ABA, CHALAWA, NGURU, Helicopters, Special Boat Service (SBS) as well as the Nigerian Navy manned DB ABUJA vessel from NIMASA Deep Blue Project.
“Exercises earlier carried out between day 1 to day 5 include Anti-Illegal, Unreportrd and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), Crude Oil Theft (COT) and Hot pursuit, Anti-illicit trafficking and fleet maneuvers.
“Day 6 witnessed DB ABUJA, embark with elements of the NN SBS and Naval Police investigation team conduct and Anti-illegal trafficking and Anti-drug operations on a suspected Vessel of Interest (VOI), played by the Spanish Navy Ship BAM METEORO in Nigerian Waters.
“The exercise involved an opposed Visit, Board, Search and seizure (VBSS) by the NN SBS accompanied by the Naval Police investigation team, who professionally exhibited their ability to document incidents and the collection, preservation and custody of exhibits and persons,” he said.
Udoessien added that the exercise further highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s capacity in safeguarding Nigerian waters for bolstering maritime security and supporting the blue economic growth of the Gulf of Guinea.
