The Nigerian Navy on Saturday officially inducted 1,962 newly trained ratings as part of efforts to strengthen joint military operations across the country.
The passing-out ceremony for Batch 37 took place at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, NNBTS, in Onne, Rivers State, and was presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
Vice Admiral Abbas stated that the newly commissioned ratings would be deployed to warships and operational units to support maritime security, combat oil theft, and assist ground forces in counter-insurgency and other security operations.
He emphasized that the recruitment is timely, given the diverse security challenges Nigeria currently faces, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent extremism, and maritime crimes.
“The NNBTS has consistently fulfilled its mandate of transforming civilians into skilled and competent naval personnel.
“The induction of 1,962 ratings comes at a critical time when our nation requires enhanced security measures to protect lives, safeguard our maritime domain, and promote economic growth,” Abbas said.
The Chief of Naval Staff noted that the new recruits completed six months of intensive training under the Navy’s upgraded capacity-building programme.
The curriculum included combat swimming, field-craft, visit-board-search-and-seizure drills, live-firing exercises, and practical operational simulations.
Abbas urged the ratings to demonstrate discipline, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork, stressing that their commitment and performance are crucial to sustaining Nigeria’s maritime and territorial security.