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New vessel from China to enhance Nigerian Navy's response to security challenges: official

Xinhua, September 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Nigerian Navy will intensify its operation in protecting strategic areas on the country's water ways as it acquires a new vessel from China to combat militant activities, an official said Wednesday.

Spokesperson for the Navy Cor Ezekobe said in a statement reaching Xinhua in Lagos that the Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NNS UNITY, which was constructed in China, has been completed and on her way to join the Nigerian Navy fleet.

The new vessel would strengthen the efforts against all maritime crimes and illegalities in the nation's territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea in general, he added.

According to him, areas hitherto that were unable to be covered by other Navy ships will now be covered by NNS UNITY which will no doubt enhance the Navy's effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges within Nigeria's waters.

The Navy spokesperson added that NNS UNITY en-route Nigeria will pay port calls on some ports of friendly nations before arriving in the West African country.

Ezekobe said this will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular.

NNS UNITY departed China on Wednesday and is expected to arrive in Nigeria in the first week of November.

The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to defending the country's territorial waters for economic prosperity in line with its zero tolerance to maritime illegalities. Endit