Nigerian Navy to send troops to fight Boko Haram

The Nigerian Navy plans to deploy some of its recently commissioned officers to join the fight against Boko Haram in the North East, according to an official.

Speaking at the passing out ceremony and commissioning of direct short service cadets in Onne, Rivers on Friday, the Chief of Defence  Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said some of the cadets would also be deployed to other areas for internal security operations.

“As a result of ongoing internal security challenges in some parts of the country, some cadets may be deployed for operations in no distant future.

“Cadets should also keep afresh in their memory that the internal security training acquired in the course of trainings will come in handy when deployed for internal security operations.

“Having trained 110 cadets, they will be part of the combat efforts at ensuring that there is peace in every part of the Nigerian state,” he said.

Mr. Badeh said the cadets were trained for nine months in special military skills to meet with the change in dynamics and asymmetric nature of threats confronting the nation.

He said the cadets would improve the navy’s role of supporting the government in maintaining political stability and economic activities in the maritime environment.

He said that severe punishment awaited any cadet and other military personnel who aligned with political organisations and who lacked discipline in their conduct and relations with the civilian public.

“Cadets must also obey superior orders and commit to total and unflinching loyalty to the service and to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he noted.

A national of the Republic of Benin was among the cadets who graduated from the college.

(NAN)

Nigerian Navy to send troops to fight Boko Haram