The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to combat maritime crimes and guarantee the safety and security of Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Abbas stated this on Thursday during an operational visit to Calabar, Cross River State, where he inspected facilities at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital and other ongoing projects in the area.
Speaking during the visit, the Naval Chief assured Nigerians of the Navy’s determination to safeguard the nation’s waters.
“The Navy is committed to making Nigeria’s waters safe and secure. Be rest assured, we are going to make our maritime environment very safe and secure,” Abbas said.
He expressed satisfaction with the facilities inspected and the operational progress recorded by the Navy in recent weeks, describing the gains as encouraging.
“I am happy with what I have seen and particularly the operational gains that have been made in the last few weeks are encouraging,” he noted.
Abbas explained that his visit to Calabar was part of a wider operational tour aimed at assessing the Navy’s readiness across various commands, units and formations nationwide.
“I am here in Calabar as part of my operational visit, which I embarked on some weeks ago. I have been going around various naval commands, units and formations,” he said.
According to him, the tour is designed to evaluate the Navy’s operational capabilities, identify challenges and determine priority areas necessary for fulfilling its core mandate.
“Basically, I am here to assess the operational capabilities of the Navy with a view to identifying some of the critical challenges and, by extension, what needs to be prioritised towards achieving the mandate of the Nigerian Navy, which is the maritime security of the nation,” Abbas added.
The visit comes amid renewed efforts by the Nigerian Navy to strengthen maritime security and reduce criminal activities along Nigeria’s waterways.
Leave a Comment