Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, yesterday flagged off the third edition of the French-facilitated maritime exercise codenamed ‘CROCODILE LIFT’, aimed at developing skills for amphibious operations.
Ogalla was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Adm. Shehu Gombe, at the event which took place onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA at Western Naval Command, Lagos.
Ogalla said the exercise was similar to the just-concluded ‘EX GRAND AFRICAN NEMO’.
“However, the slight difference is in the former mainly simulating on Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) and legal finish, while CROCODILE LIFT is focused on developing skills for amphibious operations.
“This is aimed at realising the vision of a safe and secure region for shared prosperity and development,” he said.
The CNS said the exercise also presented an opportunity for partners with a shared understanding of security objectives to deploy African-led solutions to transborder threats and challenges.
“Therefore, I challenge participating units, ships and formations to leverage the EX CROCODILE LIFT 2024 platform for the achievement of the objectives of the exercise,” he said.
Ogalla reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment and readiness to enhance regional collaboration toward ensuring the safety and security of the common maritime space for prosperous economic activities.
He said the efforts of the Nigerian Navy, regional allies and international partners toward ensuring the overall regional maritime security was evident during the recently concluded ‘Ex GRAND AFRICAN NEMO 2024’. (NAN)
