The Nigerian Navy has acquired and launched three new Manta combat boats to fight against piracy and address the challenges in the maritime sector.

Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft commanding officer Jonathan Ango said the high-speed combat vessels were fitted with greater-calibre arms and ammunition and were highly manoeuvrable.

The combat boats will replace the 30-year-old boats that had been deployed to fight piracy, illegal bunkering, and vandalism of oil platforms.

The navy has plans to deploy the three vessels in Lagos, South-East and the Niger Delta, West Africa.