CNS Flags-Off Exercise Crocodile Lift/Exercise Grand African Nemo 2023

 

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla on Monday flaged-off Exercise Crocodile Lift and Ex Grand African Nemo 2023 towards improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Ogalla flaged off the combined sea exercises onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA which held at NNS BEECROFT, Apapa, Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise would comprise five ships from the Nigerian Navy namely: NNS KADA, NNS ABA, NNS UDU, NNS KANO and the Deep Blue Lagos.

The CNS said that the exercises are initiatives of the French Navy in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other strategic partners towards improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

"Several security breaches in the GoG pose serious challenges to our national well-being.

"Most of the criminal activities in the maritime domain are targeted at the economic lifeline of the nation, through Crude Oil Theft, Illegal Oil Bunkering and other nefarious acts.

"So, these exercises which involve the deployment of naval assets at sea and ashore, in multifaceted scenarios, has been merged due to the overlapping timelines of both events," he said.

According to Ogalla, a comprehensive approach involving national and international collaboration is continually required to mitigate the impact of the myriad of maritime threats confronting GoG countries.

"Thus, the sustenance of combined exercises aimed at ensuring the security of the GoG has remained a great priority for the Nigerian Navy.

"Undeniably, Exercises Crocodile Lift and Ex Grand African Nemo which have both become annual events, are some of the well thought out international exercises involving the Nigerian Navy.

"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," he said.

Ogalla said that he was glad that the sustenance of these exercises had enhanced maritime security operations in the GoG for national prosperity of member states.

"The seamless coordination between a Nigerian Navy Ship and French Navy Ship in the case of MONJASA REFORMER in March is a good reference to the essence of these exercises," he said.

The CNS remained optimistic that these Exercises would add impetus to his vision to have ‘highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigerias maritime domain and the littorals including land-based engagements in fulfillment of Nigerias national interest’.

"Additionally, the Exercises will further demonstrate Nigerian Navys commitment to the objectives of the Yaoundé protocol in ensuring maritime security in the GoG," he said.

Ogalla appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support to the Nigerian Navy, without which the Navy would not have accomplished the great achievements they had recorded so far.

He also appreciated the French Navy and other stakeholders for their contributions towards ensuring the success of these exercises over the years.