Navy changes tactics against oil thieves, pirates.

                                   Oil Vandals

The Nigerian Navy said it had adopted a new training regime that would improve troop’s proficiency in internal security operations in the country.

The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Naval Training Command, NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, said this while on two-day familiarisation tour of navy training schools in Onne, Rivers State.

He said that adoption of a new code of conduct in its training programmes is borne from the Navy‘s commitment to drastically reduce oil theft and sea piracy in the nation’s maritime environment.

“Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, has come up with detailed strategic direction for the Nigerian Navy to improve its internal security operations.

“Presently, NAVTRAC is reviewing all our training curricula in all our professional schools to ensure highly motivated and proficient workforce to meet both current and anticipated security threats.

“We have also developed a new code of conduct in training of our troops to produce personnel that would be highly disciplined while providing unflinching service to the nation,” he said.

Osinowo said the new code had provided trainees with requisite skills, and had addressed their conduct and reaction when deployed for illegal bunkering operations.

According to him, the new training regime also presents a platform for troops to relate cordially with civilians.

“This training programme will make our troops more proficient and efficient in the discharge of their duties at both operational and tactical levels,” he assured.

Osinowo said that the Navy was currently improving its training facilities nationwide to enable it to effectively safeguard the nation’s territorial waters.

He visited the Nigerian Navy College and the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, both at Onne.