The Nigerian Navy has deployed 15 warships and three helicopters for this year’s Chief of Naval Staff sea exercise aimed at curbing maritime threats and improving security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Guardian gathered that the exercise will showcase the navy’s ability to protect the maritime environment for national economic prosperity as well as its preparedness to support existing domestic and regional maritime security initiatives.

This year’s Annual Sea Inspection is nicknamed Exercise ‘DEIN ABAJI,’ which translates to ‘Calm Waters’ in the Kalabari dialect, a clan in Rivers State.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Onne, Rivers State, on Sunday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, vowed to continue to intensify efforts that would ensure increased crude oil production, stating that there is a rise in oil production.

Ogalla said that during the exercise, the navy would leverage the cooperation of maritime stakeholders through information sharing in order to strengthen its collective capabilities in achieving national security objectives.

The naval chief said, “I am confident that the exercise will positively impact our readiness for combat operations and expose other maritime agencies to the benefits of interagency cooperation.”

He noted that the Nigerian Navy’s maritime security operations have led to significant improvements in legitimate shipping activities due to the reduction of crimes in Nigerian waters.

“There has also been a rise in oil production as several companies have reported 100 percent terminal factors. In collaboration with relevant agencies, we will continue to implement efforts to ensure increased crude oil production.”

The naval chief commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Navy, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence for their guidance and support to the Navy, and also applauded the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his support.

Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, said the Eastern Naval Command was saddled with hosting this year’s Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Inspection, stating that other naval commands have been working tirelessly to ensure the security and safety of the maritime domain.

He said, “In the next few days, we will conduct a series of evolutions, namely Anti-Piracy and Anti-COT Operations, Fleet Manoeuvres/Emergency Drills, as well as Amphibious Raid Exercises, amongst others.”

He expressed confidence that the outcome will be fruitful and enhance collective efforts to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests.

“This inspection will afford the Nigerian Navy the opportunity to exercise her ships and demonstrate its capabilities, showcasing our operational readiness and preparedness to respond and neutralize activities of criminal elements within our maritime domain, allowing shipping and economic activities to thrive,” the Eastern Command FOC stated.