Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command (ENC) carried out a harbour defence simulation exercise on Wednesday, aimed at reinforcing troops’ preparedness to counter harbour threats.
The exercise, led by Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) ENC, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, took place at the Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS VICTORY, jetty in Calabar.
Okehie Represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Rear Admiral Steven Ibrahim, explained that the exercise was nicknamed “EXERCISE EDIKPEME-MUO”, which means safe waters in Efik and Ibibio languages.
He said the exercise was aimed at practising harbour drills and emergency response procedures involving ships alongside NNS VICTORY and other support units within the command.
The FOC stated that the exercise aimed to assess the command’s alertness, coordination, and ability to work together in case of an attack or emergency.
According to him, “The aim is to prepare the men to be able to promptly respond to any untoward situations and threats to the ships and bases.”
The FOC credited the recent rescue of 22 crew members from MV CHIMBA Express by NNS OSE to regular training exercises, affirming the command’s commitment to continuing these drills to keep its personnel prepared for emergencies.
During the exercise, officers simulated various emergency scenarios, such as defence station, action, and emergency station drills involving the disruption and repelling of underwater saboteurs and man overboard drills.
Other drills conducted are medical evacuation, diving, plugging, and firefighting drills.
The scenarios were executed in a coordinated manner to assess response time, communication efficiency and command and control effectiveness.
The exercise drew participants from ships at VICTORY Jetty, a detachment of the Special Boat Service, NNS VICTORY Gunboat Squadron and Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, among others.
