The Nigerian Eastern Naval Command (ENC) conducted a major Harbour Defence and Simulation Training Exercise, codenamed Exercise EDIKPEME-MUO (Safe Waters), on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, at the jetty of NNS VICTORY in Calabar. Widely referred to as Operation AWKWARD, the exercise was aimed at consolidating operational readiness and enhancing the Command’s capacity to respond decisively to harbour-based threats.
The exercise simulated a variety of emergency scenarios to test the Command’s defensive and operational capabilities. Drills included activation of Defence and Emergency Stations, counter-sabotage operations against underwater threats, man-overboard procedures, medical evacuations, diving, plugging and firefighting. These scenarios allowed ENC leadership to evaluate response times, communication flows and the effectiveness of command-and-control across multiple units.
Key participants included the Special Boat Service detachment, Gun Boat Squadron, Fleet Support Group East and the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital. The coordinated involvement of these units ensured a realistic multi-faceted training environment, reflecting the complexities of modern harbour defence operations.
Exercise EDIKPEME-MUO underscores the Eastern Naval Command’s commitment to maintaining high operational standards, ensuring that personnel are equipped to respond swiftly and efficiently to potential threats within critical maritime infrastructure. By integrating tactical, technical and medical components into a single training programme, ENC continues to strengthen its readiness posture and reinforce the Nigerian Navy’s strategic defence objectives.
