Navy Chief Flags Off Annual Sea Exercise with I6 Warships, Reaffirms Nigeria’s Maritime Readiness

Chiemelie Ezeobi 

To personally evaluate the operational capability of naval fleets and adherence to standard operating procedures during real-time maritime operations, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on Monday formally flagged off the Nigerian Navy’s Annual Sea Exercise.

With full compliments of 16 naval warships, the CNS flagged off the two-day exercise themed Exercise ERU OBODO, which means “Guardian of the Nation”, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship KADA at the jetty of BEECROFT in Lagos. 

The naval vessels include NNS KADA, NNS IKOGOSI, DB ABUJA, NNS GURARA, NNS IKENNE, NNS IBENO, NNS KANO, NNS EKULU, NNS ABA, NNS CENTENARY, NNS MAMBILA, NNS FARO, NNS SOKOTO, NNS CHALAWA, NNS OLOIBIRI and NNS ZUR. 

While reaffirming the navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and contributing to security across the Gulf of Guinea, Vice Admiral Abbas described the exercise as a central pillar of the Nigerian Navy’s operational calendar and a critical platform for testing fleet readiness, operational effectiveness and combat preparedness.

He noted that Nigeria’s maritime environment remains strategically vital as a corridor for commerce, a source of immense natural resources and a frontline of national security and as such, the navy’s ability to dominate the maritime space, guarantee freedom of navigation and deter criminality remains non-negotiable.

Vice Admiral Abbas explained that EX ERU OBODO has been carefully structured to mirror real-world operational challenges. The exercise will test a broad range of naval competencies, including fleet manoeuvres, advanced gunnery, anti-piracy operations, suppression of illegal oil bunkering, search and rescue missions, and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.

The exercise will also evaluate inter-agency cooperation with key maritime stakeholders, as well as the Navy’s capacity for logistics support and combat sustainability at extended ranges from shore bases.

Beyond Nigeria’s waters, the CNS reiterated that the Nigerian Navy remains a key stabilising force in the Gulf of Guinea, contributing significantly to the reduction of piracy, protection of shipping lanes and the promotion of maritime governance in the region.

Under the leadership of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he affirmed that the navy stands fully prepared to undertake any mission assigned to it. 

“Exercises like this strengthen our readiness and ensure that we remain a reliable guardian of Nigeria’s maritime interests and regional maritime security,” he said.

Addressing participating ships, helicopters, special forces and supporting units, the Naval Chief urged personnel to view the exercise not as a routine drill but as battle preparation, just as he added that the exercise would translate into safer waterways for fishermen and mariners, a more secure Gulf of Guinea and enhanced economic prosperity.

“You must operate with tactical rigor, procedural precision and uncompromising discipline. Push your platforms and yourselves to the limit, identify gaps, learn from every evolution and build the muscle memory required for real combat,” he stressed, while emphasising that safety must remain paramount throughout all phases of the exercise.

On piracy and illegal fishing, the CNS noted that sustained patrols and exercises such as EX ERU OBODO are essential to maintaining recent security gains and sending a clear message to maritime criminals that the Nigerian Navy remains vigilant, capable and ever ready.

Earlier, the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC), who also doubles as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, said the maritime environment has become increasingly complex, with persistent threats such as sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal trafficking and unregulated exploitation of marine resources.

He said the exercise provides an opportunity for the CNS to assess the operational readiness of the fleet in line with his mission of deploying a highly motivated, professional and combat-ready Navy capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations.

Also speaking, the Officer Conducting the Exercise (OCE) and Chief of Operations Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral M.B. Katagum, said the exercise aligns squarely with the CNS Strategic Directives on fleet readiness and mission effectiveness.

He reiterated that the exercise is designed to test and refine the Navy’s capacity to secure Nigeria’s maritime interests through effective command and control, logistics sustainability, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated employment of maritime and air assets.