Maritime Crimes: Navy trains 40 policemen on counter operations.

Maritime Crimes: Navy trains 40 policemen on counter operations.
The Nigerian Navy has commenced Basic Marine Operation Course (BMOC) for 40 policemen on countering maritime crimes, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) has said.
The training of the Police personnel by the Navy followed a cooperation visit made by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase last year on the need to pull resources together and counter maritime crimes including piracy, robbery, oil theft etc.
Making the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Lagos, Osinowo said that the training which would be held at the Naval Training Command, Apapa, would enable the policemen counter maritime crimes like pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, among others.
“The course, which will last for 12 weeks, is targeted at developing the capacity for marine operations for personnel of the marine wing of the Nigerian Police.
“The personnel on training include 14 Assistant Superintendents of Police, six Inspectors, seven Sergeants and 13 corporals,’’ he said.
Osinowo said that NAVTRAC was established to impact requisite skill and promote proficiency among personnel.
He said: “Nigeria’s maritime domain remains a strategic asset with enormous resources and potential.
“We are equally cognizant that this natural benefit has been persistently challenged by a myriad of threats that have impinged on Nigeria’s economic wellbeing and national security.
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