By Sunday Bassey
Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command says the construction of the mini range at Ibaka was a testament through Navy’s commitment to professionalism in the conduct of it’s operations.
Akinwande stated this during the inauguration of a Mini Shooting Range at Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Friday.
He said, “mini shooting range is a testament through Nigerian Navy’s commitment to providing personnel with the best possible training facility to enhance their capacity and capability.
Today, we not only celebrate the completion of this facility but also reaffirm our commitment to excellence, precision and the unyielding pursuit of readiness in service to our nation.
“This facility before us constitutes a key enabler towards meeting the objectives of Operation Delta Sanity 2.
“I am confident that this range would enhanced personnel weapon handling and maximanship skills particularly for those engage in critical operations such as anti-crude oil theft, anti-smuggling, anti-pyracy and anti-sea robbery operations our internal security obligations,” Akinwande said.
Akinwande stated that personnel operates in challenging environments facing threats that required swift, accurate and decisive responses.
He added that Unit Commanders should ensure that personnel were equipped with requisite skills set to meet operational objectives.
The FOC said the provision of the facility aligns with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, Real Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla, which is to developed a highly motivated professional Naval Force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s Maritime Domain.
He thanked the Chief of Naval Staff who recognises the importance of investing in personnel and made the construction of the mini shooting range possible.
“The Command is very grateful for its continuous support and pledge to maintain a higher standard of readiness in order to stamp out all forms of crime and criminals within the Eastern Maritime Flank inline with your strategic directives,” Akinwande said.
He urged all personnel to take full advantage of the new facility and harness the opportunity for continuous learning and professional development.
“We must always remember that our ultimate goal is to serve and create a safe and secure maritime environment for legitimate social economic activities to strive for National development and well being of Nigerians.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke, said that the mini shooting range was established to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria’s Eastern Maritime Flank as well as carry out other policing duties within the waterways of her Area of Operations.
Aneke said the Base has excelled in the regards as demonstrated by the numerous arrests of the Maritime criminals and their assets which has led to the reduction of illegal economic activities within FOB, Ibaka Area of Operations.
He said the mini shooting range measures 100m long with a six meter tall sand barrier capable of stopping all bullets.
The Commanding Officer said that there are three firing positions in the range at 25m, 50m and 80m, adding that 25m firing position was designated for firing short range weapons like pistols in the standing position.
Aneke said that due to the nature of the area surrounding the range, firers would be expected to fire the lying position at 50m and at 80m firers can fire from all firing positions including prone, kneeling and standing in the trench. (NAN)
