Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy is to conduct a sea exercise in the Niger Delta code named " Exercise FARAUTA (Fleet Evaluation).

A total of eight ships, six gun boats, and three helicopters will take part in the exercise, with the vessels drawn from three operational commands of the navy.

The exercise, which will focus on the Bonny-Akassa-Escravos axis, is expected to carry out fleet evaluation of platforms of the navy with a view to identifying gaps and taking necessary measures to ensure the operational readiness of the service.

Commodore Kabir Aliyu , Director of Naval information, said the exercise became necessary in order to carry out President Goodluck Jonathan's directive to the navy to stamp out illegal maritime activities in the region. (NAN)