HABOUR DEFENCE: EASTERN NAVAL COMMAND CONDUCTS OPERATION AWKWARD

CODE NAMED EXERCISE SECURED RESPONSE

The defence of the maritime domain of Nigeria is synonymous to the survival and protection of key infrastructure and platforms across the nation. However, the actualization and sustenance of this task is highly depended on the ability of the Nigerian Navy (NN) to effectively secure its habour, exercise the men and platforms among others.  Consequently, as part of the Nigerian Navy Schedule of Events 2021 and in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directive 2021 – 5, the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy activated OPERATION  AWKWARD 2021 code named “EXERCISE SECURE RESPONSE”  The purpose of the Exercise among others was to reinforce the prevailing security arrangement of the ships, units and bases in the Eastern Naval Command in order to build capacity to effectively prevent and repel any form of attacks by economic saboteurs.  Additionally, the Exercise was designed to enable the Command assess units preplanned responses and states of readiness.  The scenarios were set against the prevailing threats within the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility to enhance the capacity/preparedness of  own personnel to curb the activities of criminal elements and other undesirable miscreants that threaten the safety and security of lives and property in Nigeria.

Objectives of the Exercise

The objectives of EXERCISE SECURE RESPONSE were to:

  1. Assess the capacity and operational readiness of Eastern Naval Command ships in harbour defence.
  2. Assess the capacity and readiness of Eastern Naval Command bases and units in the conduct of base security.
  3. Practice the participating units in the use of Maritime Domain Awareness assets in surveillance, threat assessment and operational engagement.
  4. Identify if any possible shortcomings in the capacity, training and doctrinal practices in NN harbor defence/base security procedures.

PARTICIPANTS

All ships, operations bases and units, including the Maritime Domain Awareness Centres in the Eastern Naval Command participated in the Exercise.

CONDUCT OF THE EXERCISE

Ships were exercised on identifying the presence of frog men with the intent to lay limpet mines. Similarly, the bases were availed with the necessary report of suspected coordinated attacks by miscreants through the water front and land with the intent to carry out nefarious acts. Also carried out during the Exercise were the  simulations to test ships, units and bases on medical evacuation skills as well as Civil Military Relations engagement during civil unrest or protest. All these evolutions were geared towards enhancing personnel efficiency in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff vision to enhance the Navy as a well – motivated and ready naval force in the discharge of her Constitutional mandate and other assigned tasks in fulfillment of national security objectives.

 

 

 

 

 

OVERALL IMPRESSION

 

The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sanusi Ibrahim during the closing session remarked that the outcome of OPERATION AWKWARD 2021 was successful. Admiral Ibrahim noted that his assessment of the Exercise was based on the overall performance of participating ships and units. He was particularly impressed with the level of coordination and synergy by units in the Command during the conduct of the Exercise. He therefore implored officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Command to sustain the zeal exhibited during the conduct of the Exercise.

 

 

 

Commander TO Otuji,

Command Information Officer.

WE’LL SMOKE OUT ALL CRIMINALS WITHIN OUR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – REAR ADMIRAL SANUSI KASHIM IBRAHIM

The newly appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sanusi Ibrahim has assured officers and ratings of the command  of  his preparedness to lead them in flushing out all criminal elements operating along the coastal lines of Calabar channels as well as those terrorizing people within the Command’s Area of Responsibility. Admiral Ibrahim gave the assurance during the handing and taking over ceremony at the Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Calabar.

He reiterated that the Command under his watch will appraise every situation to strategize on how to intensify the fight against maritime crimes such as, sea robbery, illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft and other criminalities. ‘‘What we want to do is to appraise our situation and come up with strategies that will further enhance our operational capacity and efficiency’’ he said.

Ibrahim added that the time has come when the Eastern Naval Command will ride off all the criminals making life uncomfortable for innocent citizens within its Area of Responsibility. The Flag Officer Commanding, also charged officers and ratings of the Command to be mindful of their responsibilities which they had sworn oath of allegiance to make the water ways peaceful for both travelers as well as businessmen and women along the Calabar channels. He maintained that he is mindful of the huge responsibilities on his shoulders and solicited the support, commitment and understanding of the officers and ratings to enable him succeed.

In his address, the Flag Officer Commanding said, “We must be receptive and responsible for those placed under us in the spirit of our long cherished ethos of divisional system and reinvigorate this system by giving everyone a sense of belonging. However, the command in the past has done a lot; we will work hard within the limits of what we have and put in our best to ensure that our maritime space is secured’’

Other events performed by the Command during the ceremony include handing and taking over of the Command insignia, lowering of the Distinguishing Flag of the out gone Acting Flag Officer Commanding, Commodore Priston Efedue and hoisting of the Distinguishing Flag of the Flag Officer Commanding Rear Admiral Sanusi Ibrahim.

CNS STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE 2021-5

The new face of the NN as detailed in the CNS Strategic Directive 2021 -5 (SD 2021-5).

1.          The CNS Strategic Directive 2021 -5 (SD 2021-5) was promulgated on 26 Feb 21 to guide the attainment of NN operational, logistics and administrative processes and procedures. Consequently, the SD 2021-5 outlines key priorities to be accomplished by branches, commands, establishments, ships and units within specified time frame. In this regards, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) identified relevant tasks which are to be achieved within the stipulated time frame in the SD 2021-5.

2.          In line with the provision of the SD 2021-5, 28 specific tasks were identified for the ENC constitute of 10 x short, 10 x medium and 8 x long term ones from operations to concepts and organization.

 

FOC EAST VIRTUALLY COMMISSIONS NNS JUBILEE ADMIN BLOCK

Always determined and pushing the limits of smart technology, the FOC East virtually commissions the new constructed Admin Block of NNS JUBILEE in Akwa Ibom State right from his office in Calabar, Cross River State. Commanders of Bases/Units were also virtually connected with social distancing duly observed!

FOC E, RADM DA ADENIRAN
NNS JUBILEE ADMIN BLOCK