The Western Naval Command Fourth Quarter Sea Exercise code-named EX EJA EXPRESSION will help to combat Illegal Unregulated and Unreported Fishing (IUUF) and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea, an official said.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Mustapha Hassan, said that the exercise would include fleet manoeuvres and gunnery geared toward working up the ships in terms of warfighting.
Mr Hassan, a rear admiral, said that the name of the exercise was taken from both the Yoruba and English languages in which the first word “EJA” means fish in English.
The exercise was flagged off on Saturday by the FOC, Western Naval Doctrine Command, Habilla Zakaria.
Mr Hassan, a rear admiral, said that the name of the exercise was taken from both the Yoruba and English languages in which the first word “EJA” means fish in English.
“The exercise is a multi-faceted outing and the name gives an inclination of one the ideas behind it.
“It is well known that Illegal Unregulated and Unreported Fishing (IUUF) is significant in the GuIf of Guinea.
“Therefore, to hone our skills in our policing role, we will train today on vertical insertion and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) using our helicopters and interceptor boats,” he said.
The FOC added that other exercises like communication and seamanship evolutions among others would also form part of the operation.
“The Western Naval Command is therefore launching this exercise to work up her ships and personnel in keeping up with our constitutional responsibilities.
“EX EJA EXPRESSION will greatly enhance the proficiency of Nigerian Navy personnel in the command and also enable us test the operational state of our machineries,” Mr Hassan said.
He said that the exercise was being carried out in collaboration with other stakeholders and government agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime and Security Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Police and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.