The Nigerian Navy has assured residents of Rivers State of their safety, saying its personnel are physically fit, well-deployed, and fully equipped to tackle criminal activities across the state’s waterways and creeks.

This assurance came on Saturday during the Third Quarter Route March in Port Harcourt. The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, represented by the Executive Officer, Navy Captain Abubakar Sani, explained that the exercise was designed to boost physical fitness and deepen collaboration with other security agencies.

Sani noted that the route march underscores the Navy’s readiness to respond swiftly to threats anywhere in the country. “The essence of the route march is to ensure that Nigerian Navy personnel are physically fit and healthy to perform their constitutional mandate, which is safeguarding the territorial integrity of Nigeria. Our men are physically fit to be deployed anywhere and at any time,” he said.

On operations within Rivers State, he disclosed that the Navy has intensified patrols in the creeks and waterways, deploying gunboats and strengthening synergy with sister agencies to maintain security. “We have our men deployed in all strategic creeks and locations across the state to stamp out criminality. We also conduct regular patrols with other security agencies to ensure that everywhere is safe,” he said.

According to him, the Navy is also working closely with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to regulate water transport operations and enforce compliance with safety standards. “We have gunboats patrolling and we collaborate with agencies like NIWA to ensure that maritime unions and water transport operators follow the appropriate rules and regulations,” he added.

Sani assured residents that the security situation in Rivers State is firmly under control, stressing that the Navy’s efforts are aimed at creating a secure environment where economic and social activities can thrive. The route march, which featured personnel of NNS Pathfinder and other security agencies, also showcased chants and displays designed to reinforce discipline, teamwork, and inter-agency collaboration.