The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety across the country’s maritime domain and supporting national security efforts whenever necessary.
Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, made this known on Friday in Calabar during the closing ceremony of this year’s range classification and small arms firing exercise.
Akinwande described the event as a “routine evolution” aimed at enhancing the marksmanship skills of naval personnel.
“As you can see, since we started, it’s been an evolution involving everybody on board, both officers and ratings, because weapon handling is a foundational skill for all personnel. Every personnel must be proficient in weapon handling and usage. This exercise is for us to fine-tune those skills and competencies,” he said.
He stressed the importance of the training, noting that naval personnel could be deployed at any time.
“We can be called upon at any time of the day to respond to threats or challenges.
This exercise ensures that our personnel are prepared to respond effectively to security threats within the maritime environment and on waterways,” he stated.
Correspondents report that over 800 officers and ratings took part in the three-day exercise, which began on Wednesday.
During the opening ceremony, Akinwande emphasised the Navy’s continued commitment to professionalism and operational preparedness.
“As we remain focused, let us continue to build a Navy that is not only respected, but also feared by its adversaries, both at sea and on land,” he said.
(NAN)