Navy begins tactical exercise to sharpen skills, tackle piracy

The Nigerian Navy has initiated its maiden intra-command maritime tactical live-firing exercise, codenamed Exercise Littoral Fury, in Cross River State. This significant drill is designed to bolster the Navy's operational capacity in combating prevalent maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, illegal oil bunkering, and crude oil theft.

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This exercise is to enhance the Navy’s operational efficiency and effectiveness in fighting at sea, on land and through joint operations with other security agencies.

Organized by the Eastern Naval Command, the exercise specifically targets the enhancement of combat readiness and proficiency among naval personnel. It focuses on weapon handling and operational execution within creeks, waterways, and the broader littoral environment. Rear Admiral Patrick Effah, Chief of Operations, Nigerian Navy, emphasized the critical importance of continuous skill development in marksmanship, stating, “This exercise is to enhance the Navy’s operational efficiency and effectiveness in fighting at sea, on land and through joint operations with other security agencies.”

The exercise serves as a platform for rigorous training and realistic operational drills, aiming to ensure personnel are adept at firing and hitting targets accurately. Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, highlighted that the exercise exposes personnel to real-world operational situations, improving their rapid response capabilities to maritime security threats. He also noted the importance of promoting joint and coordinated responses among various security agencies to effectively tackle a range of maritime criminality.

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Rigorous training and realistic operational drills are not just operational activities. What we will be witnessing today is geared towards ensuring that we gain the basic things that have to do with firing and hitting our target.

The choice of Ikang and the surrounding littoral environment was deliberate, acknowledging the unique operational challenges these waterways present. Okehie stated, “The littoral environment presents unique operational challenges that require specialised skills, appropriate tactics, effective communication and seamless coordination among security agencies.” The command is also leveraging technology, innovation, and intelligence-driven operations to further enhance its maritime crime detection and response capabilities. The Cross River State Government was commended for its support, including logistics for a naval outpost at Dayspring Island.

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The littoral environment presents unique operational challenges that require specialised skills, appropriate tactics, effective communication and seamless coordination among security agencies.