The Nigerian Navy has launched “Exercise Wash Down” for Batch 38 trainees to assess their preparedness and practical skills in riverine operations.
Rear Adm. Abdulrahman Mohammed, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne, Rivers, declared the exercise open on Wednesday.
Mohammed said mandatory riverine training for recruits would strengthen the Navy’s efforts to address oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, sea robbery, and other maritime crimes.
He noted that the exercise represents a significant milestone in the trainees’ development and provides an opportunity to demonstrate the skills acquired during training.
“This exercise aims 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 explained that the riverine environment would help trainees understand the practical demands of maritime operations and the challenges of riverine terrain.n.
He stressed that naval personnel must understand the relationship between maritime security and the security of adjoining land areas.
He urged trainees to demonstrate discipline, teamwork, effective communication, sound judgment, and strict adherence to operational instructions.
“Trainees must show confidence and initiative while respecting lawful orders and established procedures,” he added.
Mohammed stated that the exercise includes a scenario based on an internal security crisis to test trainees’ ability to respond to operational challenges in real time.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy is constitutionally mandated to defend the country’s territorial integrity and support internal security operations.
The commandant emphasised that safety and security must remain paramount throughout the exercise. He directed all personnel to strictly comply with safety procedures and instructions from the course officer, instructors, and designated safety personnel. Personnel.
“The exercise will be conducted safely and successfully in line with the highest standards of naval professionalism,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Abdulrahman Adenekan pledged to apply the skills acquired during training to protect lives and defend the country.
Adenekan stated that the exercise combines key aspects of their training, including intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, criminal apprehension, and hoHe explained that the simulation involves 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.
