On September 27, 2024, 20 officers graduated from the Joint Maritime Security Training Center (JMSTC) following a rigorous month-long training program. Commodore Benjamin Francis, Commander of the JMSTC, highlighted the success of the program during the graduation ceremony, which began on September 2, 2024. The training focused on vital maritime operations, including Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) techniques, with participants undergoing extensive drills and exercises.
Commodore Francis expressed his confidence in the participants, noting their excellent performance. He stated, “The training provided an opportunity for the participants to learn all the boarding techniques and perform various drills. Their execution was very, very excellent, and I have no doubt that they will leverage this opportunity in the field.”
The program, which was supported by the Chief of Naval Staff, involved collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and international partners. Six of the graduates have already embarked on their first mission aboard Nigeria’s DB Abuja, participating in a VBSS operation as part of a passage exercise with the visiting Spanish ship, “Bama Matero”.
Capt. Tom Pycock of the Royal Marines’ 42 Commando praised the professionalism and dedication of the Nigerian Special Boat Service (SBS), which took part in specialized VBSS and counterinsurgency training. Capt. Pycock emphasized the growth in the SBS’s capability, stating, “We’ve covered everything from close quarter combat to long-distance sniper shooting and boarding operations. The Nigerian SBS is a very capable force, and the training has been a mutually beneficial learning experience.”
The training program utilized advanced facilities, including a ship simulation setup and a newly developed counterinsurgency village, enhancing the training environment for Nigerian forces. Both Nigerian and international instructors acknowledged the strong collaboration, and there is hope that similar future training opportunities will continue to build upon the operational readiness of Nigerian maritime forces.
Commodore Francis closed the ceremony by reiterating the importance of sustaining these collaborative training efforts to combat maritime crimes, such as piracy, and enhance Nigeria’s maritime security.
