British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) has trained the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS) team on boarding techniques as regards Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS).

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lagos over the weekend, Team lead, BMATT and Captain, Royal Marines from 42 Commando, Tom Pycock, said for the last four weeks they have been developing the VBSS capability of NNSBS.

While applauding the participants for their dedication and commitment to the training, he stated that the NNSBS is a very capable force, adding that though they were instructors, they were also able to learn a lot from the Nigerian force.

According to him, the training covered everything from close quarter combat in the buildings located around Joint Maritime Security Training Center (JMSTC) to the range work.

“We have done sniper, long distance shooting, along with both pistol and rifle close quarter marksmanship which has progressed the capability of the NNSBS and improved their speed and time on the shoots.

“We have been fortunate enough to use the training facilities, such as the ship in the box, worked with the Navy to get underway training, which has probably been the highlight for everyone here,” he added.

Commander, Joint Maritime Training Centre, Commander Benjamin Audu Francis, said the training which started on September 2, provided an opportunity for the 20 participants to learn boarding techniques on VBSS and so many other drills were simulated.

While charging participants to share their learning experiences with colleagues, he expressed optimism that the training would positively impact on future operations of their field work and lauded the BMATT team for their professionalism and discipline.

“We continue to pray that the collaboration is sustained for future training opportunities. I was impressed with the professionalism and discipline of the BMATT and our participants for their interest in the learning tool was very, very good. As a matter of fact, they really maximized the learning opportunity.

And we thank the chief of Naval staff for approving the training and we also pray that we will have more training opportunities here in the centre,” he said.

He added that six of the trained officers have gone on their first mission, on board Navy ship, VBR Pooja, for VBSS Serial, which is also part of the passage exercise with a visiting Spanish ship.

On how the training would enhance operations, Commander Francis said: “We have ships at sea that are usually deployed for anti-piracy operations and some of these men will have to board the vessels and search for anything that has to do with maritime crimes. And if the ship is found wanting, they will be interrogated and arrested.”