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BY PHILIP NWOSU AND BOLAJI OKUNOLA
The Nigerian Navy has flagged off combine naval maneuvers with France and other countries within the West African sub-region to foster the development and strengthening of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Flagging off the Exercise, The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla said the maneuver which is named EXERCISE CROCODILE LIFT AND GRAND AFRICAN NEMO, came in response to several security breaches in the Gulf of Guinea which pose serious challenges to Nigeria’s well-being.
Admiral Ogalla said that, “the more disturbing is that most of the criminal activities the Nigerian Navy had to grapple with in the maritime domain are targeted at the economic lifeline of the nation, through Crude Oil Theft, Illegal Oil Bunkering and other nefarious acts.”
He said a comprehensive approach involving national and international collaboration is continually required to mitigate the impact of the myriad of maritime threats confronting the Gulf of Guinea countries.
Admiral Ogalla said that the sustenance of combined exercises aimed at ensuring the security of the Gulf of Guinea has remained a great priority for the Nigerian Navy.
He said that Exercises CROCODILE LIFT AND GRAND AFRICAN NEMO undeniably have become annual events and are well thought out international exercises involving the Nigerian Navy., noting that, “these exercises have further enhanced effective collaboration against maritime insecurity such as Crude Oil Theft, illegal oil bunkering, piracy, sea robbery, hostage taking as well as Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.”
The Naval Chief said the sustenance of these exercises has enhanced maritime security operations in the Gulf of Guinea for national prosperity of member states, noting that the seamless coordination in the case of MONJASA REFORMER on 27 March 2023 involving a Nigerian Navy Ship and French Navy Ship is a good reference to the essence of these exercises.
Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Muhammad Abdullahi said Exercise CROCODILE LIFT 2023 is designed around a factious scenario bothering on piracy and hostage taking.
He said that the Exercise CROCODILE LIFT 2023 which is its second edition is an amphibious Exercise initiated by the French Navy aimed at sharing experiences with the Nigerian Navy as well as practicing and testing both navies practical skills and preparedness of personnel to tackle maritime threats like piracy and kidnapping within the Gulf of Guinea.
He said that the Exercise is also aimed at testing the capacity of Nigeria’s Maritime Operations Centre to coordinate as well as share information and intelligence with allied partners in a combined operation setting, adding that Exercise CROCODILE LIFT 2023 is a single fictitious scenario Exercise that will be conducted by TG 23.1 in conjunction with the French Warship FNS MISTRAL in 4phases namely Preparatory phase, Movement, Execution and termination phase in a hostage rescue scenario.
He said: “The exercise will be activated today Oct 9, 23 and it will terminate on Oct 10, 23 which would mark the commencement of EXERCISE GRAND AFRICAN NEMO. EXERCISE GRAND AFRICAN NEMO is an annual exercise, co-organized by France in collaboration with some West African countries like the Togolese Republic, Benin Republic and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This Exercise is aimed at contributing to the freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Guinea by strengthening the coordination of effort against maritime insecurity. This year’s exercise will be merged with the amphibious EXERCISE CROCODILE LIFT that is aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of the Nigerian Navy in maritime security operations.
“This year’s Exercise is aimed at creating a safe and secure maritime environment for shipping and other economic activities to thrive through the prevention of piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of criminalities within Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility. This is in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s vision and mission statements which is aimed at harnessing the full benefits of Nigeria’s maritime environment for the country’s economic growth.”
