The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment towards stamping out economic sabotage and other forms of  criminal activities along the waterways.

Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, made the statement at the end of the Nigerian Navy second quarterly route march in Calabar on Saturday.

Akinwande said the quarterly exercise was intended to prepare navy personnel physically and psychologically for contemporary security challenges in the country.

“The exercise is to tune us up to meet our maritime security challenges and other internal security concerns”, he said.

The FOC expressed optimism that the exercise would not only enhance the combat readiness of officers and ratings of the command, but also send a strong statement to criminal elements.

He stated that under his watch, the navy would not condone any form of threat around the maritime domain.

The naval officer said the massive participation of personnel in the exercise was an indication of their collective resolve to win the battle against crime and criminality.

“This exercise will tell criminal elements that we are combat-ready, and they we shall not condone any form of threat to our national security interests”, he said.

Akinwande said the navy was fully committed to making the waterways uncomfortable for criminals and economic saboteurs.

The flag officer said the newly launched ‘Operation Delta Sanity’ was a deliberate step to strengthen Nigeria’s waterways security architecture.

He said the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, had approved a 90-day extension for the conduct of the Operation.

The Tide’s source reports that the exercise which kicked off at the NNS Victory parade ground, attracted naval personnel from other formations across the state.

The route march which was led by the FOC, took participants through major routes around the Calabar metropolis.

The source further reports that operatives of the Nigeria police and Federal Road Safety Commission were on ground to reinforce traffic management during the exercise.