The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has inaugurated the third edition of the French-supported maritime exercise, codenamed ‘CROCODILE LIFT’.
The exercise, aimed at honing amphibious operation skills, took place aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA at the Western Naval Command, Lagos, over the weekend.
Representing the CNS at the event, Rear Admiral Shehu Gombe, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Doctrine Command, highlighted the significance of the exercise, comparing it to the recently concluded ‘EX GRAND AFRICAN NEMO 2024’.
“While EX GRAND AFRICAN NEMO primarily focused on Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations and legal resolutions, CROCODILE LIFT is designed to enhance amphibious warfare capabilities,” Ogalla explained. “This aligns with our vision of fostering a safe and secure region for shared prosperity and development.”
The CNS underscored the importance of the exercise in promoting African-led solutions to transborder threats and challenges, emphasising the collaboration between regional allies and international partners.
“This platform offers an invaluable opportunity for participants—units, ships, and formations—to achieve the objectives of CROCODILE LIFT 2024,” Ogalla said, urging full utilisation of the initiative.
Reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to ensuring maritime security, Ogalla applauded the combined efforts of regional and international stakeholders in safeguarding shared maritime spaces.
He pointed to the success of EX GRAND AFRICAN NEMO 2024 as evidence of effective regional collaboration.
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