The Nigerian Navy has vowed to sustain stronger operations against piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, smuggling and other maritime crimes in Cross River State.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, disclosed this on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the maiden Intra-Command Maritime Tactical Live Firing Exercise, codenamed Exercise Littoral Fury, in the state.

Okehie said the three-day exercise was designed to expose naval personnel to realistic operational situations and improve their ability to respond rapidly and effectively to maritime security threats.

He said the exercise would also strengthen joint operations and coordination among security agencies working within the maritime environment.

According to him, the littoral environment presents unique operational challenges requiring specialised skills, appropriate tactics, effective communication and seamless coordination.

He added that the command had continued to deploy technology, innovation and intelligence-driven operations to improve its capacity to detect and respond to maritime crimes.

Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, said the exercise demonstrated the Navy’s operational readiness, tactical agility and discipline.

Ibrahim said the exercise was part of efforts to build a modern, agile and professional naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives.

He said participating gunboats, air assets and operational units tested their weapon systems, improved inter-service communication and validated joint littoral manoeuvre doctrines.

Ibrahim also noted that the exercise at Dayspring Island was significant because the area was previously one of the biggest militant camps but was now occupied by the Navy.

He said the Navy’s presence would improve security around the Calabar and Dayspring channels and waterways towards Cameroon, while boosting commercial activities.

The Navy urged personnel to apply the lessons from the exercise to their daily patrols and operational duties.