Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin

The Nigerian Navy said it would deploy some of its personnel to participate in internal security operations in the North-East and complement the efforts of other agencies.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, said this on Friday at the passing out of 1,060 trainees of Batch 23 at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School in Onne, Rivers.

Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Adm. Goddy Anyankpele, Jibrin said some of the ratings would also be deployed to naval warships and formations across the country.

He said the new naval personnel were trained in special military skills to meet with the change in dynamics and asymmetric nature of threats in the country.

“The Nigerian Navy has been part of the combat efforts at ensuring that there is peace within every sector of the Nigerian state.

“Having trained about 1,060 of them they are going to complement the efforts of those who are already deployed in internal security operations.

“Our role has been to complement the efforts of other sister services in internal security operations and that is what most of these trainees are going to do in no distant future.”

Jibrin said the Navy recorded some successes in both local and international maritime operations this year in spite of some logistic challenges.

He said the naval authorities would punish any naval rating that aligns with political parties, urging them to adhere to professionalism and discipline in relating with the civilians.

The naval boss further enjoined the ratings to obey superior orders and commit themselves to total and unflinching loyalty to their calling and to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.