Nigerian Navy Flags Off “Exercise Secure Waters”, Deploys 14 Ships, 2 Helicopters

The Nigerian Navy on Monday assured that it is ready to clear the nation’s territorial waters of criminal elements, even as it deployed a total 14 warships and two helicopters for a sea exercise codenamed “Exercise Secured Waters ”

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo who spoke at a press conference to announce the flag off, assured that the sea exercise would tackle the rising case of pirates’ attacks in the Gulf of Guinea.

Navy was under the order of President Muhammadu Buhari to create a friendly environment for maritime business,
Noting that the Navy has made significant progress in the fight against maritime crimee in the past, he explained that Monday’s exercise on board Navy Ship (NNS) THUNDER was to improve on the operational efficiency of the NN’s fleet in terms of sea readiness and availability for operational deployment.
Gambo said, “This is to speedily boost our capacity to meet our statutory maritime commitment.
“EXERCISE SECURED WATERS” is part of my strategic intent to position the NN firmly towards my articulated vision in order to align strategic intent with execution.

“My vision for the Navy on taking over command is to leverage on all factors of national location, technology, training, teamwork and synergy to reenergise the Navy.

“This will enhance her as a well motivated and ready force in the discharge of her constitutional mandate, and other assigned tasks in the fulfillment of her nation’s security objectives.

“Accordingly, the exercise will test a broad spectrum of maritime operations in order to enhance the security of Nigeria’s maritime security domain to check criminality at sea
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“Therefore, the sustainment of the afore mentioned gains, is hence critical to our national survival given the huge contribution of the nation’s strategic maritime resources to national prosperity and development.

“The sustainment exercise is therefore, a demonstration of the nation’s response to strengthen and consolidate on previous gains by acting decisively against pirates, sea robbers and other enemies of the state.

“Such strong commitment would further reassure our regional and international partners of our readiness to weather ongoing partnership and collaboration towards collective regional security”