Nigerian Navy received two additional ships to secure country’s maritime domain – Matawalle

The Nigerian Navy has received two additional ships to help improve its capacity to secure the country’s maritime domain, said Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle on Saturday.

Matawalle, who did not specify how many ships the Navy just purchased, stated that the platforms will also be extremely useful in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline damage, and piracy.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Victoria Agba-Attah, on Saturday night, Matawelle began this at the Passing Out Parade of Batch 34 Trainees of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Port Harcourt.

“The Minister of State for Defence lauded the Nigerian Navy’s efforts to acquire additional platforms to boost her combat power against criminalities and illegalities within Nigerian territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea,” it said.

“The newly acquired platforms would help the Nigerian Navy enhance its dominance and impact in the fight against crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline damage, piracy, and illegal unreported unregulated fishing.”

“The additional platforms would significantly increase the reach and coverage of the Nigerian Navy patrol capabilities within the recently built backwaters and inland waterways, FOB LEKKI, FOB EKPE, naval Base OGUTA, NOP TARKWA BAY, and NOP SHAGUNU.”

While speaking to the 1,865 trainees of batch 34, the Minister urged them to uphold the Nigerian Navy’s basic ideals.