Maritime Security: Navy deploys 8 vessels, helicopters for Ex AMUM BUNENG

ABIOLA Seun

The Nigerian Navy in Lagos yesterday said it would deploy eight vessels and helicopters for exercise AMUM BUNENG, aimed at addressing current and impending maritime security challenges.

The exercise will be conducted from Nov. 28-30

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Adm. Habila Ngalabak, made this known in a news conference with journalists at the Command’s conference room in Apapa, Lagos.

Ngalabak said that the vessels and helicopters that would be deployed were part of the navy’s proactive measures to address current and impending maritime security challenges.

“The exercise codenamed ‘EXERCISE AMUM BUNENG meaning ‘Calm Waters” in Tangale language is the fourth quarter sea exercise in 2018 for the WNC.

“The Exercise is part of the navy’s proactive measures to address current and impending maritime security challenges to ensure a secure and calm maritime environment in WNC’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

“The objective of the exercise is to test the operational state and capabilities of assigned ships, boats and helicopters as well as project navy’s presence within the Command’s AOR,” he said.

Ngalabak said the exercise was in pursuant to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ekwe Ibas’ mission.

“The mission is to develop a naval force that is well trained and organised and highly motivated to discharge its constitutional roles professionally and efficiently for the defence of Nigeria in ensuring her economic prosperity,” he said.

Ngalabak said the exercise would involve Maritime Combat Operations, Maritime Security Operations and Maritime Assistance Operations.

“The Maritime Combat Operations will involve the conduct of amphibious operations, Maritime Special Operations, Riverine Operations and Gunnery Exercises.

“The maritime security operations will entail Maritime Interdiction Operation, Visit Board Search and ‘Seizure and anti-piracy.

“Additionally, the maritime assistance operations will cover emergency response at sea as well as search and rescue operations,” he said.

The FOC said that exercise would be conducted in three phases.

“EX. AMUM BUNENG is being conducted in three phases. Phase one, which is the preparatory phase commenced on Nov. 23 and involves the embarkation of logistics by participating ships, boats and helicopters, issuance of exercise orders and movement to objective areas.

“Phase 2 is the execution phase which will involve the conduct of amphibious operations, maritime special operations, riverine operations and gunnery exercises.

“Also Maritime interdiction operations, visit board search and seizure, anti-piracy, search and rescue operations and fleet manoeuvres will be conducted in Phase 2.

“The final phase, which is Phase 3, is the termination phase which will involve the re-assembly of participating ships, patrol boats and helicopters at designated rendezvous areas and entry of the ships into harbour,” he said.

Ngalabak said the CNS had provided support to ensure the command had the capacity to perform its constitutional roles in ensuring a safe and secure environment for legitimate businesses to thrive.

“It is in the same vein that the required logistics support was provided to ensure the conduct of Exercise AMUM BUNENG.

“I would like to advise the public to remain calm, following the heavy build-up of naval assets which may be sighted during the conduct of the exercise, as it is geared towards our collective security,” he said.