Nigerian Navy, UK Military Commit to Maritime Security through VBSS Training

Esther Oluku

In a recent event marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s maritime security, the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) have reiterated their dedication to enhancing capacity building. This commitment was showcased yesterday as 20 personnel from the NN Special Boat Service (SBS) graduated from the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) program.

Organized by the UK Commandos, the VBSS training aimed to bolster the skills of NNSBS personnel in combating piracy, oil theft, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other maritime crimes. This initiative plays a vital role in ensuring the safe passage of goods and individuals within Nigeria’s national and international waters.

At the graduation ceremony held in Lagos, Commander Benjamin Audu Francis, the head of the Joint Maritime Training Centre (JMTC), highlighted the training’s beginnings on September 2, providing participants with practical experience in boarding techniques and technical drills. He expressed hope that the participants would utilize their training to achieve greater career success while commending BMATT for their professionalism and discipline.

“We continue to pray that this collaboration is sustained for future training opportunities. I was impressed by the professionalism and discipline exhibited by both BMATT and our participants. Their eagerness to learn was remarkable,” Commander Francis stated. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for supporting the training initiative and hoped for further opportunities at the center.

Moreover, Commander Francis noted that six of the trained officers had already embarked on their first mission aboard a Spanish Navy ship, VBR Pooja, contributing to the VBSS Serial and passing exercise.

Discussing the operational impact of the training, Commander Francis remarked, “We have ships deployed at sea for anti-piracy efforts, and these personnel will be tasked with boarding vessels to investigate potential maritime crimes. If any violations are found, suspects will be interrogated and apprehended.”

Captain Tom Pycock, the team lead from BMATT and a Royal Marines officer with the 42 Command, elaborated on the intensive four-week program aimed at developing the NNSBS’s VBSS capabilities. “We covered various areas including close quarter combat in JMTC’s facilities, followed by range work focusing on sniper and long-distance shooting, as well as close-quarter marksmanship with pistols and rifles. This progressive training enhances NNSBS’s capabilities and improves their performance,” he explained.

Captain Pycock praised the NNSBS personnel for their exceptional dedication to the training, noting they arrived each day eager to learn, highlighting the mutual learning experience that also benefited the instructors from BMATT.