The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its resolve to clamp down on piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and smuggling in Cross River State, as it wrapped up a three day joint drill aimed at boosting maritime security in the region.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Exercise Littoral Fury on Friday, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, said the exercise was designed to sharpen the combat readiness of personnel and improve response time to emerging threats within Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Rear Admiral Okehie noted that the drill also focused on strengthening synergy among security agencies operating along the coastline. According to him, the training exposed officers to realistic scenarios involving coordinated operations with naval gunboats, air assets and other tactical units.

He stressed that maritime crimes such as sea robbery and illegal oil bunkering continue to undermine the nation’s economy and endanger seafarers. The Navy, he added, will sustain intelligence-driven patrols and inter agency collaboration to deny criminals freedom of action in Cross River waterways.

Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, said Exercise Littoral Fury demonstrated the Navy’s operational preparedness. He added that the exercise would directly enhance security around strategic routes, particularly the Calabar and Dayspring channels.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim further assured residents and maritime stakeholders that the Navy remains committed to protecting legitimate trade and ensuring safe passage for vessels within the Eastern Maritime District.

The three day exercise, which brought together personnel from various naval formations and sister agencies, is part of the Navy’s broader strategy to secure the Gulf of Guinea and safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain against criminal activities.