The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday flagged off its 2025 quarterly Western Naval Command Small Arms Firing Exercise and Range Classification (SAFEX), indicating the Navy’s ongoing commitment to enhancing personnel proficiency.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa while flagging off the exercise held at the 323 Artillery Regiment, Military Range Ita-Ogbolu, in Akure North Local Government Area said tasks naval personnel on the need to be more professional and improve their weapon handling especially with the challenging security situation the country.
His words: “The exercise we are witnessing today is not just a normal military practice exercise but a very vital strategy of enhancing our national security architecture. No doubt, in recent months, the country has witnessed an upsurge in acts of criminality, banditry and kidnapping.
“All these unpatriotic acts are being perpetrated by subversive elements in the country with the sole intention of reversing the appreciable gains we have made in the area of security since assumption of office by the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“However, I have no doubt in the operational capacity of the Nigeria Armed Forces to tackle this ugly menace head-on and deal a decisive blow on these dissidents, extremists and criminals in our midst. The military exercise we are witnessing today is not only a testament to the dedication of Nigeria’s Navy to professionalism and excellence but also an avenue for the men of Nigerian Navy to sharpen their skills, improve their precision and enhance their operational effectiveness and efficiency.”
Aiyedatiwa, who commended the officers of Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, for the tremendous job they are doing in the State in the areas of security, appreciated the Nigerian navy for choosing Ondo State as the host for the exercise, saying the Nigerian Navy remains one of the foremost, respected and enduring military institution in Nigeria today.
“It has played a crucial role in ensuring the security and stability of our nation most especially in ensuring our maritime security and sovereignty. It is therefore gratifying and a thing of joy to witness the demonstration of your commitment to maintaining high standards of operational readiness.”
Besides, Aiyedatiwa assured the officers of the Nigerian Navy and all the security agencies in the State of his administration’s unwavering support at all times.
Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Michael Oamen said training, re-training and team work are an important part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s effort towards repositioning the Nigerian Navy towards efficient service delivery.
“This particular one is the final phase of the Western Naval Command, quarterly small arms firing and range classification exercise. We started on the 16th of April in Lagos, and we had this exercise take place all across the units in the Western Naval Command. So today we are finishing, and I’m very happy that we’re finishing very strong.
The essence of it is for us to sharpen the armed proficiency of our personnel so that when they are deployed for any national assignment, we know that, yes, they are ready and they have confidence to take on any adventure. And as you know, during peacetime, our major preoccupation as a military is training and since we are bearers of arms, we must ensure that we’re very proficient in it.”
Sharing some of the successful operations and missions in the last four months in the Southwest region, he said, “We’ve been able to make a lot of arrests, and this is an indication of the proficiency of the men.Because once you’re able to plan your operations and you’re armed and you’re able to deliver by way of arrests, you’re not doing that with empty hands. So it’s important that you’re very good with your weapon. So the results are a reflection of the competency and proficiency of the average soldier once it comes to handling of arms”, Oamen stressed.
Similarly, the Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base (FOB) Igbokoda, Captain Aliyu Usman, said the training will give the personnel the opportunity to test their ability and bost their arms handling skills.
“It is important to note that this is going to be a good opportunity for us to test our hands because Ondo State has relatively been peaceful, so, we’ve not been having the chance to test our weapons, especially using the life rounds. So, this range exercise is going to give us that opportunity.
“So I enjoin all of us to make very good use of it. And also, for those personnel of other security agencies that will be interested in trying their hands. This will be a very good opportunity. It is hoped that at the end of the exercise we would know the most needed benefits of enhancing our proficiency, in weapon handling, avoiding mistakes, which normally cause accidental firing and at the end this exercise will automatically enhance our efficiency in securing our communities and the nation at large”, Usman added.
