By John Ikani
The Nigerian Navy (NN) Board has approved the relocation and establishment of non-military operational bases to the hinterlands.
The decision it was gathered, was to decongest the presence of the Navy in Lagos and other maritime environments.
Apart from the establishment of a Navy Logistics College in Kano, the board approved the locations of the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics in Owerrinta, Abia State; Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology in Kachia Kaduna State; and School of Health Sciences in Offa, Kwara State.
The Navy Board also approved the relocation of the Command Naval Drafting to Lokoja, Kogi State; School of Music in Ota, Ogun State; and School of Communication and Information Technology to Ife, Osun State.
A senior Naval Officer told PRNigeria that Navy bases serve different purposes for operations, training, logistics or administration.
The source explained that all naval establishments and units are called bases notwithstanding physical location.
“While operational bases are expected to have a waterfront, some do not necessarily need to be near water. In the Navy, these bases are called Stone Frigate,” he said.
He added that “the base in Kano is intended to be home of the newly created Nigerian Navy Logistics College”.
What you should know
The Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It is among the largest navies on the African continent, consisting of several thousand personnel, including those of the Coast Guard.
The NN is currently involved in internal security operations beyond its primary maritime security roles.
Special Boat Services, the elite squad, is supporting military operations in the North-West and North-East, with the bases in Borno and Zamfara.
