On Thursday, the Nigerian Navy, stationed seven ships and two helicopters to supply productive maritime search and rescue services on Nigerian waters.

This stationeries included other facilities and patrol vessels of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer of Western Naval Command, flagged off the operation codenamed `Exercise Swift Response’, onboard the Nigerian Navy Ship, KADA.

Mustapha stated that the exercise was to provide efficient maritime search and rescue services to reduce the loss of lives and property.

He said, “This exercise involves the deployment of suitable naval assets, equipped for maritime disaster management operations.

“The exercise is aimed at contributing to the safety of lives at sea in Nigeria’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea by providing prompt and timely response to maritime accidents.

“The exercise will afford ships in the western fleet the opportunity to reevaluate their information-sharing capabilities through effective communication and also test their capabilities for carrying out rescue missions at sea.

“It will also equally assess the capabilities of the Nigerian Navy in surveillance and special air operations, among others.”