Connect with us

Defence and Security

Navy inaugurates new landing ship tank in UAE

Published

5 years ago

on

Share

Nigerian Navy (NN) commissions new Landing Ship Tank (LST) at Damen Shipyard, Sharjah, UAE, to replace its first set of LSTs, an official statement says.
By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has commissioned a new Landing Ship Tank (LST) at Damen Shipyard, Sharjah, UAE, to replace its first set of LSTs, an official statement has said.

The statement by the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Suleman Dahun, stated that the construction of the ship began about two years ago and its introduction into the Navy’s inventory would no doubt bolster its sealift capabilities.

In addition, he noted that the introduction of the LST would enhance the transportation of troops, military hardware and vehicles in the conduct of maritime security operations launched from sea and supply of relief materials during national emergencies.

“The vessel will serve as a critical component of NN’s power projection for enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.

“It will also play a critical role in the protection of maritime assets, as well as law and order at sea, thus contributing significantly to the promotion of global maritime commerce, peace and safety.“

The director explained that the new LST has a complement of 32 crew and 250 embarked persons and a length of 100.08m, powered by two Caterpillar/Cat 3516 C-rating engines and four Caterpillar C-18 generators.

Similarly, the LST has an endurance of 15 days at 15 knots, if used for humanitarian missions and evacuation. It can accommodate over 450 persons on its upper and lower decks on short trips, Dahun added.

It would be recalled that the bidding for the procurement of the LST was held on Dec. 19 2017, supervised and conducted by a team from the Bureau of Public Procurement as well as a technical committee of the NN.

The shipbuilding companies that participated in the bidding were Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, AnadoluDeniz of Turkey and Indian Shipyards GOA of India.

However, on June 13 2019, the NN and Damen Shipyards signed the final general agreement plan and specifications on the LST 100 and June 13 2019, became the effective date for the contract, whose duration was mutually agreed at 36 months.

The Keel laying ceremony for the LST 100 was held on Dec. 9 2019, at the Damen-Albwardy Shipyard in Sharjah, UAE, and was sealed by the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, Dahun said.

“Over the past two years, several Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) with regards to various components of the LST 100 have been jointly and successfully completed by the NN and Damen Shipyards.

“Most notable among these FATs is the main propulsion engines tested in 2019 and 2020, respectively, as well as the Remote Weapon system also successfully tested in March“, he added.

Damen Shipyards is one of the biggest multinational shipbuilding groups in the world, operating more than 50 shipbuilding and repair yards worldwide. (NAN)

Post Views: 285
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Defence and Security

Insecurity: CDS Orders Troops to Intensify Offensive Against Bandits in North-West

Published

3 weeks ago

on

April 20, 2026

By

CDS, Olufemi Oluyede
Share

The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has directed troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to intensify operations against bandits and other criminal groups in Nigeria’s North-West region.

The directive was given during his operational visit to the Joint Task Force Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State, where he assessed troop readiness and ongoing efforts to restore peace in the area.

Addressing the soldiers, Oluyede praised their courage and sacrifices, urging them to remain disciplined and relentless. He stressed that the safety of citizens depends on their commitment, calling on them to pursue criminal elements until they are eliminated.

He also assured troops of continued support in welfare, training, and provision of necessary equipment to enhance their effectiveness in the field. The CDS highlighted the importance of improved air support and better coordination across operations.

During the visit, Oluyede paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, commending his support for military operations and encouraging stronger collaboration, especially in intelligence sharing.

Governor Lawal, in his response, appreciated the efforts of the Armed Forces and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security operations in the state.

The visit included operational briefings, troop interactions, and an assessment of deployments as part of ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.

Post Views: 90
Continue Reading

Defence and Security

Tinubu Approves ₦15bn Take-Off Grant for New Police Academy Campus in Ogun

Published

3 weeks ago

on

April 20, 2026

By

Share

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Nigeria Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The President also approved a ₦15 billion take-off grant for the institution. According to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move aligns with the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, which allows for expansion into multiple campuses nationwide.

The take-off fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation and will support key infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and essential training equipment.

The decision followed a high-level meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.

The meeting considered factors such as student capacity, funding, academic standards, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force. The expansion is expected to enhance policing education, institutional governance, and national security.

Post Views: 80
Continue Reading

Defence and Security

NSCDC Deploys Drones, Body Cameras to Strengthen Security Nationwide

Published

1 month ago

on

March 27, 2026

By

NSCDC Personnel
NSCDC Personnel
Share

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has begun deploying drones, body cameras, and other modern equipment across all states to improve security operations.

The Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, approved the rollout during the corps’ annual strategic meeting in Abuja, attended by state commanders from across the country.

He said the move is part of efforts to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering, and quick response to security threats.

The new equipment includes drones, GPS trackers, situation room kits, bulletproof vests, helmets, night-vision goggles, and body cameras. Officers also received backpacks with solar chargers and mini tablets.

Abubakar explained that the tools will help tackle issues like banditry, illegal mining, and infrastructure vandalism.

He warned officers to use the equipment strictly for official duties, adding that misuse would lead to serious punishment.

The NSCDC boss also noted that the corps has recently destroyed over 400 illegal refineries and arrested suspects involved in illegal activities.

He added that the new tools will support special units like Agro Rangers and improve cooperation with other security agencies.

Post Views: 93
Continue Reading