The Nigerian Navy has begun “Exercise Wash Down” for Batch 38 trainees to test their preparedness and practical skills in riverine operations.
Rear Adm. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne, Rivers, declared the exercise open on Wednesday.
Mohammed said compulsory riverine training for new recruits would strengthen the Navy’s efforts to combat oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, sea robbery and other maritime crimes.
He said the exercise marked a significant milestone in the trainees’ development and provided an opportunity for them to demonstrate the skills acquired during their training.
“The aim of this exercise is to assess the operational readiness of the trainees, having gone through the training here, and determine their suitability for naval operations.
“The exercise will take place around the Onne/Ogu-Bolu waterways and adjoining land areas in Rivers State,” he said.
The commandant said the riverine environment would help the trainees understand the practical demands of maritime operations and the challenges associated with riverine terrain.
He stressed that naval personnel must understand the relationship between maritime security and the security of adjoining land areas.
He urged the trainees to demonstrate discipline, teamwork, effective communication, sound judgement and strict adherence to operational instructions.
“Trainees must show confidence and initiative while respecting lawful orders and established procedures,” he added.
Mohammed said the exercise featured a scenario based on an internal security crisis to test the trainees’ ability to respond to operational challenges in real time.
He said the Nigerian Navy was constitutionally mandated to defend the country’s territorial integrity and support internal security operations.
The commandant, however, emphasised that safety and security must remain paramount throughout the exercise.
He directed all personnel to comply strictly with safety procedures and instructions from the course officer, instructors and designated safety personnel.
“The exercise will be conducted safely and successfully in line with the highest standards of naval professionalism,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Abdulrahman Adenekan pledged that they would apply the skills acquired during training to protect lives and defend the country.
Adenekan said the exercise combined key aspects of their training, including intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, criminal apprehension and hostage rescue.
He said the simulation involved identifying threats, capturing suspects and neutralising hostile forces while ensuring mission success with minimal casualties.
“The exercise will provide us with practical experience in rescue operations and responses to security threats,” he said.
