NNS Unity for Off-shore Patrol

Chief of Naval Staff is Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas

In furtherance to improving on the nation's defences, government had considered the acquisition of various military hardware to make the country's armed forces better ready to defend its national integrity. One such step taken is exploiting the country's cordial relationship with China. 

Consequently, the Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), NNS UNITY, which was under construction in China has been completed. It is on its way to join the Nigerian Navy fleet.

At the handing over and departure ceremony in China, the Chief of  Naval Staff, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving all steps taken towards the departure of NNS UNITY.

He stated that the vessel, upon joining the 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 the areas hitherto uncovered by other Navy ships will now be covered by NNS UNITY,which will no doubt enhance effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges.

NNS UNITY en route Nigeria will pay ‘port calls’ on some ports of friendly nations before arriving in Nigeria. This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular.

The naval Chief also solicited the maintenance and improved cooperation between Nigeria and the respective China Ship building corporations beyond the departure of the vessel.

The ceremony  was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representative Committee on  Navy  Abdulsamad Dasuki, representative Defence Minister Hajia Rabi Tedman, the Consul-General of the Nigerian Mission in Shanghai and Senior Officers of the Nigerian Navy.

NNS UNITY, which left  the shores of China on September 21, is due in Nigeria in the first week of November