Calabar — THE Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has concluded a sea exercise aimed at increasing naval presence in the nation's maritime domain to curb crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and piracy that had negatively affected the country's economy.

Speaking at the closing of the three days exercise, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, said the exercise involved three ships, 16 gunboats and one helicopter.

He said the objective of exercise tagged NDIKARA, which is an Efik word for dominate, was to sustain the tempo achieved in the Chief of Naval Staff Fleet evaluation exercise that took place in November this year.

He said the exercise enabled him to further evaluate the capabilities of participating ships, gunboats and helicopters as well as sharpen the professional skills of his officers and ratings.