Navy concludes Exercise Eagles Eye in Bayelsa waterways

The Nigerian Navy on Saturday concluded the annual sea inspection drill of the Chief of Naval Staff christened Exercise Eagle Eye at Forward Operation Base, Formoso, Brass in Bayelsa The exercise was conducted by officers and men Central Naval Command (CNC) and special forces of the Nigerian Navy. Commander, Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Soroh, Commodore Habib Usman said that the exercise was aimed at appraising the operational capabilities of the forces on ground as well as conduct surveillance on territorial waters. Usman who led the CNS team said the Exercise Eagle Eye was the annual sea inspection operation by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas. He said the exercise was also aimed at flushing out maritime criminals and securing Nigerian marine assets and territory. "The exercise is part of the Chief of Naval Staff annual event. It started on December 1. “The first phase was the riverine operations involving Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. What you have witnessed in Bayelsa is the team covering the state. "The objective of the exercise is to assess the operational capability of the Naval forces on ground. “During the operation, a number of arrests were made, a number of militant camps have been razed and a number of illegal refineries have also been destroyed. "This is all part of the ongoing efforts to rid the riverine areas of the Niger Delta of all forms of illegalities so that economic activities can thrive." Usman said, Usman said the naval forces arrested four sea pirates when their camp was raided, adding that they (suspects) were armed with sophisticated weapons. He added that the suspects on sighting Naval troops, opened fire and the troops repelled and arrested the hoodlums. Usman noted that the arrested suspects in custody were being interogated to enable the force to track other criminals in their camps. On criminalities in the region, Usman urged the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace, look for legitimate businesses to do and shun all forms of illegalities. The highlights of the exercise were the visit of the CNS team to various Naval boat houses, inspection of military drills and performance of simulation operations on counter - piracy attacks, among others.