The Nigerian Navy says as a core part of maritime security, it will adopt civil-military cooperation to enhance security in the nation’s maritime sector.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, said this on Tuesday in Calabar, during a sea trip with civilians as part of activities to celebrate the Nigerian Navy at 70.
Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie, the CNS said that the cooperation would help build trust with local communities, thereby making security efforts more effective.
According to him, the idea is that better relationship with civilians will give the navy better intelligence, access, and legitimacy, which directly will boost security.
“Indeed, it is not all the time that we approach security challenges with kinetic method, there are times that non-kinetic approaches turns out to be effective.
“Ours is to work and collaborate with our host communities as well as other civilian stakeholders for effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out our core mandate; which is to secure the nation’s waterways.”
Abbas explained that the sea trip was not only to establish civil-military cooperation with the people, but for them to also get firsthand knowledge of navy’s operations, especially on the sea.
“Navy can’t secure the nation’s waters alone. Sustained collaboration with stakeholders is crucial to enhance security in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“The navy’s strategy now treats civilians, private security firms, and other agencies as partners, not outsiders.
“The goal is to close the gaps that pirates and oil thieves exploit in the Gulf of Guinea,” he added.