MARITIME: Navy Warns Economy Saboteurs Around Maritime Domain 

By Our Reporter 

The Nigerian Navy has warned economic saboteurs around maritime domain to desist from their nefarious activities as the sector is no longer safe for their unwholesome practices.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, gave the warning while closing the Nigerian Navy second quarterly route march in Calabar on Saturday. 

Akinwande said that the newly launched ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, will no doubt boost Nigeria’s security architecture, especially in the maritime domain.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the route march which was led by the FOC, saw the naval personnel march through major routes including Calabar road and the Murtala Mohammed highway in the metropolis.

Akinwande disclosed that the quarterly exercise was intended to prepare Nigerian navy personnel physically, mentally, psychologically and otherwise for contemporary security challenges in Nigeria.

According to him, “On Wednesday, the Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, gave an order; a 90 days approval regarding ‘Operation Delta Sanity,’ and he gave another 90 days extension for the conduct of the operation, and I think this exercise wouldn’t have come at a better time than now.

"Essentially, the exercise is to tune us up physically, mentally and psychologically as far as meeting first, our maritime security challenges, other internal security concerns as well as the national security.”

The FOC expressed optimism that the exercise will not only enhance the combat readiness of officers and ratings of the command, but will as well send a strong statement to criminal elements around.

He reiterated that under his watch, the Navy will not condone any form of threat in the maritime domain.

He noted that the massive participation in the exercise by personnel across the command headquarters and other formations under her was an indication of a collective resolve to win the battle against crime and criminality.

“This exercise has again conveyed the right message to criminal elements that indeed we are ready to go, and that we would not in any way condone any form of threat to our national security interest.

"On that note, I say well done to every one of us for this wonderful turnout, and the conduct of the second quarter route march," Akinwande stated.

The exercise which was flagged off at the NNS Victory parade ground, attracted naval personnel in other formations across the state.

Some operatives of the Nigeria police and Federal Road Safety Commission were on hand to reinforced traffic management during the exercise.