Nigerian Navy acquires new vessel to battle maritime crimes

Following bids to further strengthen the
force, the Nigerian Navy has added another
vessel to its fleet.
Vanguard reports that the Nigerian Navy
Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NNS Unity
which was under construction in China has
been completed and on her way to join the
Nigerian Navy fleet.

Nigerian Navy will make you proud
At the Handing over and departure ceremony
in China, the Chief of the Naval Staff
represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans
Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani conveyed the
appreciation of the Navy to the Commander
in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, for
approving all steps taken towards the
departure of NNS Unity.
He stated that NNS Unity upon joining the
NN fleet would strengthen the efforts
against all maritime crimes and illegalities in
the nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of
Guinea in general.
He also added that areas hitherto that were
unable to be covered by other NN ships will
now be covered by NNS Unity which will no
doubt enhance the NN’s effectiveness and
responsiveness to the maritime security
challenges within Nigeria’s waters.
NNS Unity enroute Nigeria will pay ‘port
calls’ on some ports of friendly nations
before arriving Nigeria.This will further boost
the existing cordial relationship with sister
navies around the world and the Gulf of
Guinea in particular.
He concluded by soliciting the maintenance
and improved cooperation between Nigeria
and the respective China Ship building
corporations further beyond the departure of
NNS Unity.
The ceremony which was adjudged a
success was attended by chairman, Senate
committee on Navy, Senator Isa Misau,
chairman, House of Representative
Committee on the Navy, Honourable
Abdulsamad Dasuki, representative of the
honourable minister of defense Hajia Rabi
Tedman, the Consul General of Nigerian
mission in Shanghai and senior officers of
the Nigerian Navy.
NNS Unity departed China on Friday,
September 16 and is expected to arrive
Nigeria in the first week of November 2016.