Insecurity: Navy seeks new approach to combat current, emerging maritime threats

The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Thursday said it was seeking new ways of combating current and emerging threats in the maritime domain.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, made this assertion at the second edition of the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC)’s in Lagos.

Its theme is: “Consolidating Professional Training in the Nigerian Navy.” Ibas, represented by the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Rear Adm.

Ferguson Bobai, said the theme was sequel to the challenge posed with the service’s operational doctrine by recent security threats.

He said that there was need for constant review of Navy’s training policy and other doctrinal authorities to balance the nation’s security equation.

“The NN, like other navies of the world, relies on professional training for manpower development to accomplish assigned constitutional roles.

“Training in a Navy like ours, is getting more complex and demanding.

“This is because there is need for constant review of the school’s curricula to be in tune with new acquisitions in the NN.

“It also needs to continue to address the traditional threats and those posed by non-state actors.

“To this end, the operational doctrine of the NN has been challenged by some emerging threats in our maritime environment and the nation as whole,” he said.

Ibas said that this necessitated the need to enhance professional competence of personnel to meet extant and evolving challenges within Nigeria’s maritime domain through workshops, conferences and seminars like this.

“It is hoped that the outcome of the seminar will assist in shaping our training policy and doctrine toward combating current and emerging security challenges confronting the nation,” he said.

While commending NAVTRAC for the recent successes recorded, Ibas said that a team from the International Hydrography Organisation (IHO) would be visiting Nigeria between March 18 and 23 to inspect the Nigerian Navy Hydrography School (NNHS).

“This is with a view to making it a regional centre for hydrographic studies,” he said.

Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) NAVTRAC, Rear Adm. Obi Ofodile, said that the command would introduce disaster response package into the school’s curricula. Ofodile added that maritime law enforcement and Civil-Military relations were recently introduced in the NN’s professional schools.

“With the recent security challenges that have bedeviled our country, it is imperative not only to place adequate measures, but to sustain and improve upon training effectiveness.

“The purpose of the seminar is to provide a dedicated platform for harnessing informed opinions from invited, seasoned senior military officers, both serving and retired, and relevant stakeholders.

“The outcome is expected to reflect suggestions on confronting national security challenges as well as measures for improving the quality and impact of training activities in the NN,” he said.

At the seminar were the FOC, Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Adm. Slyvanus Abbah, Retired Rear Adm.

Frank Akpan and Ralph Osondu, other senior military officers as well as representatives of other maritime stakeholders.