******** Article published by Chiemelie Ezeobi, THISDAY Newspaper Reporter. *******
In what was a multi-faceted deployment of assets of the Eastern and Central Naval Commands of the Nigerian Navy, both at sea and in the backwaters, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that the recently held Exercise Beni Kekere was aimed at demonstrating their operational capability in securing the nation’s maritime domain, as well as the Gulf of Guinea waters.
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For the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and Central Naval Command (CNC), Exercise Beni Kekere was an opportunity to deploy ships, helicopters and men for a joint sea and shore exercise targeted at demonstrating their operational capability in securing their contiguous areas of responsibility (AOR).
To achieve this, both commands deployed a total of eight ships, two helicopters, Maritime Domain Awareness facilities and elements of the NN Special Boat Services (SBS).
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At the flag off, the Flag Officers Commanding (FOCs), ENC and CNC, Rear Admirals Sanusi Ibrahim and Kennedy Egbuchalum, were both present in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
While flagging off the exercise, FOC ENC, Rear Admiral Sanusi Ibrahim said the sea exercise would also include anti-piracy operations, protection of oil facilities and Search and Rescue operations among others.
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“The exercise nicknamed “Beni Kekere” means ‘Water Protection’ in Ijaw language and aptly captures the primary responsibility of the NN, which is to protect Nigeria’s maritime environment against all threats.
“The exercise involves a multi-faceted deployment of the two commands’ assets both at sea and in the backwaters, and is aimed at demonstrating our operational capability to securing our contiguous Areas of Responsibility. Our area of responsibility falls within the Niger Delta region in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Awwal Gambo Strategic Directive 2021,” the FOC said.
He added that the sea exercise equally presents an opportunity to showcase NN’s commitment to the regional security arrangement in the Gulf of Guinea, which Nigeria is a major stakeholder, adding that “Nigeria’s maritime domain is dominant in the Gulf of Guinea with its enormous resources and remains strategic to our national security and development.
“We are also conscious that these resources have been persistently threatened by piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering as well as Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing among other crimes. The NN and other security agencies have achieved landmark feats in curtailing these threats, the persistence of the perpetrators requires us to re-strategise in order to consistently deny them freedom of action”.
The FOC said that it was in this regard that the Eastern and Central Naval Commands joint exercise, which was first of its kind in recent years, organised the sea exercise to “consolidate on the successes of the ongoing Operation CALM WATERS.
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“Concurrently, the operational bases and Naval Security Stations (NSS) in the two commands will conduct clearance operations against criminals’ hideouts, and illegal refineries in the backwaters in collaboration with Op DELTA SAFE. I am positive that the joint exercise will add impetus to the CNS’ aspiration for improved maritime combat readiness of the NN through training,” he added.
He said that the sea exercise would equally provide the necessary ‘bite’ to the nation’s anti piracy law that was recently passed by the National Assembly. The Federal High Court last week passed judgment against 10 notorious pirates arrested by the NN on May 15.
“On behalf of the Eastern and Central Naval Commands, I express our profound appreciation to the CNS for providing the necessary support for the execution of this exercise. We shall continue to work assiduously to accomplish the NN quest for a safe and secure maritime environment,” the FOC said.
Similarly, the FOC, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Kennedy Egbuchalum, said the reason for the maiden joint operations was because criminals at sea did not respect defined sea boundaries.
“Several times, criminals in the pursuit of their crimes crisscross the defined boundaries between the two commands. Therefore, the essence of the exercise is for us to enhance our collaboration and inter-operability which will give us greater cooperation in the cause of our going after these criminals that operate in our waters. Therefore, we will collaborate together such that wherever the criminals are whether in the Eastern or Central Command, we will be good to get at them,” he said.
Also speaking, Officer in Tactical Command, Commodore Olusanya Bankole, who doubles as CNC Fleet Commander, said the exercise would include six port operational bases, adding that that five of the ships had already departed on Sunday for the sea exercise and that they would be joined by others after the flag off exercise.
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“We also have the air assets and elements of the SBS that will be deployed with us and the exercise is of a continuous nature. I thank the FOC’s for allowing us to deploy the assets under their command and assure them that the assets will be used justifiably,” he added.
Several times, criminals in the pursuit of their crimes crisscross the defined boundaries between the two commands. Therefore, the essence of the exercise is for us to enhance our collaboration and interoperability which will give us greater cooperation in the cause of going after these criminals that operate in our waters.
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