Nigerian Navy plans to deploy new ratings to strategic locations for internal security operations across the country, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Training Command, Rear Adm. Atiku Abdulkadir, has said.
Abdulkadir announced the plan during a trainees’ obstacle crossing demonstration at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Rivers State yesterday.
He said that some of the trainees would be deployed at “choke points” at sea and creeks in a bid to stop oil theft, piracy and pipeline vandalism.
“The trainees trained intensively for six weeks in special military skills to meet with the change in dynamics and asymmetric nature of threats presently in the country.
“Cross obstacle demonstration is an integral part of the training curriculum designed to equip trainees with ability to overcome any impediment or confrontation that may come their way.
“The trainees through their obstacle crossing demonstration skills have proven that they are ready to become members of the Nigerian Navy.
“The trainees who will officially pass out from their training on Friday would be deployed to units and formations across the country to defend their fatherland,” he said.
Abdulkadir said that those deployed at sea would complement current efforts by the navy to reduce oil theft to the barest minimum within the shortest possible time.
The commander said the commitment was part of the reasons the navy embarked on a three-day sea exercise that involved six warships and helicopters.
“This exercise which took place in Brass area in Rivers, Calabar and on our maritime boundary with Cameroon, sought to improve troops’ proficiency and coordination at sea operations,” he said.
According to him, the exercise reinforces personnel readiness to counter illegal bunkering operations, sea piracy and other illegalities on the country’s maritime domain.
Abdulkadir expressed optimism that current measures put in place by the navy with assistance from other security agencies would soon start yielding positive results in the oil theft fight.
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