The Eastern Command of the Nigerian Navy on Monday flagged off operational sea patrol tagged “Ani-Oforifori” in the Niger Delta territorial waters.

Flagging off the exercise at the Nigerian Naval Shipyard, Onne, Rivers State, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, Real Admiral David Adeniran, said the exercise was activated in pursuant of the Chief Naval Staff’s mission to develop a naval force well trained, organised and highly motivated to discharge its constitutional roles professionally and efficiently for the defence of Nigeria .

He said the exercise was to assess the operational readiness of ships, gunboats, helicopters and other platforms of the eastern fleet in order to practise the skills of personnel in tackling threats within the command’s area of responsibility.

He said that the exercise would be conducted in four phases, saying that the final stage would end with the entry of all participating ships into the harbour.