Navy Deploys 37 Boats In Niger Delta

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central
Naval Command (CNC), Rear Adm. Bello Al-
hassan, on Tuesday said the Navy had
deployed seven ships and 37 patrol boats for
martime security drill in the Niger Delta

Al-hassan told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) at the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne,
that the command had commenced a sea/
backwater exercise code named:
‘Octopusgrip’ in Onne, Rivers.

He said the exercise would give the
participating ships and crew a great
opportunity to showcase their professional
capacity in securing the maritime
environment within the Command’s Area of
Responsibility. According to him, the sea-based operation is
to enhance the combat readiness of the
troops which commenced on Monday and will
last for three days. The FOC said the objective of the exercise
was to consolidate on the gains of
“Operation Rivers Sweep” that was
launched in January. He said the earlier operation had reduced
crude oil theft and other maritime illegalities,
which caused high degree of insecurity of
lives and property in the Niger Delta region. “All ship companies are therefore, urged to
put their professional skills into practice, as
the ships are flagged off to achieve the
objective of the exercise. “Let me remind the general public,
particularly the seafarers within the Central
Naval Command, that the security of lives
and property is key in the conduct of this
exercise. “I solicit for your continuous cooperation
and support as the CNC set to achieve one of
the constitutional mandates of the Nigeria
Navy, which is to ensure security within the
maritime domain,” he said. The Officer in Charge of the exercise,
Commodore Habib Usman, said the operation
was to assess the readiness of CNC fleet and
bases as well as to test the practical skills of
personnel in tackling maritime threats. He said the exercise was in two phases: The
Riverine Operation and the Sea Exercise,
planned to run concurrently.