Tag: Navy

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has inducted three warships and three helicopters into its fleet for enhanced maritime security.

The induction ceremony, at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT in Apapa, was organised as part of activities to celebrate the navy’s 69th anniversary.

Inducting the new maritime security platforms, Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle, described the moment as a testament to progress, and a bold stride towards securing Nigeria’s future.

“The sea, has remained a pillar of our nation’s economic prosperity and for the past 69 years, the Nigerian Navy has stood as the guardian of this blue territory. With the addition of these formidable assets, we affirm our commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.

“These patrol ships and helicopters are force multipliers in our fight against piracy, oil theft, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes. This commissioning is therefore a reflection of our determination to empower our institutions and protect our resources,” he said.

Matawalle thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to the Navy, noting that it demonstrated the priority his administration gives to issues of national security.

Congratulating the Navy on its 69th anniversary, Matawalle assured that the government would continue to prioritize the needs of the service because a strong navy is the cornerstone of a secure and prosperous economy.

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, listed the new assets as three Fast Patrol Boats- NNS SHERE, NNS FARO and NNS IKOGOSI, as well as three Augusta Westland AW109ST Trekker Helicopters.

The CNS assured that the Navy would continue to carry out fleet recapitalisation to enhance her operational efficiency, adding that the inclusion of the assets would  enhance the service’s capability to dominate the maritime space and deny maritime criminal elements freedom of action.

According to him, the inducted warships have high endurance and are equipped with advanced surveillance as well as rapid-response capabilities.

Read Also: Navy sails over 400 civilians to mark 69th anniversary

Admiral Ogalla said the three Augusta Westland AW109ST Trekker Helicopters also have long range surveillance and high endurance capabilities, adding that the platforms would complement existing maritime domain awareness capabilities to bolster  surveillance and response capabilities for improved maritime security and economic activities.

The CNS said the Navy was expecting several platforms to join her fleet this year including two 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels from Turkey, three 46m Fast Patrol Boats from China and Tug Boats, among others.

Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Vice Admiral Kim Pankyu (rtd), said one of the vessels was given by the Korean Navy to cement diplomatic relationships between both countries which began in 1980.

He noted that both countries have worked closely together in many areas like politics, economy and diplomacy, adding that there also shared military cooperation through training and education exchanges among the armed forces.

As part of activities to celebrate its 69th anniversary, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has extended free medical services to people who cannot afford same within highbrow Victoria Island and Okokomaiko, Lagos.

The medical outreaches which commenced on Monday morning at Saka Tinubu and Ajangbadi areas of the state were organised by the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL), and the Western Naval Command (WNC).

Flagging off the exercise, the Admiral Superintendent, NDL, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, said the initiative was in line with the navy’s commitment to humanitarian efforts and improved public health.

He said the medical outreach was being done simultaneously by various commands and units across the country, adding that it was directed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

Services rendered included blood tests to check for common illnesses, eye screening, provision of eyeglasses, checking of blood pressure and provision of some drugs for basic treatment.

“One of the missions of the CNS is to ensure that we reach out to our hosts and surrounding communities, to show goodwill and build good relationships with members of the public. 

“In this regard, medical outreach enables us to provide basic medical services, and if need be, referrals are necessary that will be handled by medical personnel.

“This will enable them provide sufficient service to those that patronise the outreach.

Read Also: Navy destroys eight illegal refining sites in Delta

“It is a completely free medical outreach which enables us to build strong community relations between the Nigerian Navy, and the surrounding general public. 

“We from the Naval Dockyard are privileged at this time to support the programmes aimed at this year’s Navy Week to boost our medical outreach here in Victoria Island,” he said.

Shehu said that in 2024 the outreach was conducted around the environs of the Oniru Palace but it was stretched further to support those that came to provide services for the residents.

The Nation reports that about 500 persons benefitted from the free medical services.

Similarly, residents of Ajangbadi, both old and young trooped out to participate in the free medical outreach conducted by the Western Naval Command in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) Ojo and the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA).

Aside the free consultations, issuance of drugs and referrals were necessary, the Navy held a health education session where residents were taught basic hygiene and how to promote better health practices.

The outreach aimed to enhance civil-military relations and contribute to the overall well-being of underserved populations.

The Baale of Ajangbadi, Chief Wahab Hassan, conveyed the community’s gratitude, describing the initiative as a timely and much-needed intervention that effectively addressed long-standing health challenges in the area. 

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos of the Nigerian Navy, says it has destroyed eight illegal refining sites in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.

The Commanding Officer of the FOB Escravos, Navy Capt. Ikenna Okoloagu disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Warri.

Okoloagu said  the illegal refining sites were dismantled in three separate operations at Obodo Omadina Community.

He said the operations were conducted under the Operation DELTA SANITY II, adding that it was guided by credible information.

The naval boss also said that the successful operations underscored the unwavering commitment of the base to the Strategic Directives of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla.

According to him, the strategic directives of the CNS are  aimed at eliminating all forms of maritime illegalities in nation’s territorial waters.

“On May 14, based on credible information, operatives of the FOB Escravos uncovered and dismantled two illegal refining sites at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri south.

“The sites contained approximately 5,625 litres of stolen crude oil, stored in one oven and 17 dugout pits.

Read Also: Navy’s Western Command cleans Lagos communities

“Subsequently, on May 19, three illegal refining sites were discovered and deactivated in the same community.

“The operation led to the recovery of approximately 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in one oven, five dugout pits, and 18 polythene sacks.

“Maintaining the operational momentum, the base conducted a follow-up operation on Monday,  uncovered and deactivated three  other illegal refining sites at Oteghele, also in Obodo Omadino.

“The sites harboured an estimated 7,915 litres of stolen crude oil, concealed in 21 dugout pits.

“Cumulatively, the three operations led to the deactivation of eight illegal refining sites, with the seizure of approximately 16,040 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,650 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“The materials were found in two ovens, 43 dugout pits, and 18 polythene sacks,” he said.

Okoloagu while reiterating the base’s commitment to its mandate,  warned perpetrators to desist from the illicit act or face full wrath of the law.

(NAN)

…establishes Special Operations Command in Makurdi

The Nigerian Navy will boost its fleet with an additional three patrol vessels and three fighter helicopters to tame maritime and inland waterways crimes.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, announced this on Monday, during a press briefing, as part of activities to mark the Navy’s 69th anniversary, in Abuja.

Vice Admiral Ogalla also announced that the Navy had concluded plans to establish a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said that the Nigerian Navy has grown from its humble beginnings with a handful of coastal boats into a force to be reckoned with in the Gulf of Guinea and the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

Represented by Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abdullahi Dewu, the Naval Chief said the Special Command would complement the efforts of sister services and other security agencies to improve the security situation in the North Central region.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said since the beginning of their year to date, the Navy arrested 215 suspects, 26 vessels, and deactivated 468 illegal refinery sites.

He said, “Additionally, an estimated quantity of 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 7 million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled.

“Furthermore, 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks were deactivated.”

According to him, in January 2025 alone, the Navy destroyed 103 Illegal refinery sites and arrested 34 suspects linked to crude oil theft.

“The service also seized 39 wooden boats and one ship, 773 thousand litres of crude oil and 150 thousand litres of refined products,” he said.

Read Also: Navy rescues 99 from drowning in Rivers

Ogalla stated further that the Nigerian Navy has continued to maintain round-the-clock situational awareness of Nigeria’s maritime domain extending to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone through our Maritime Domain Awareness Facilities.

According to the CNS, the Falcon Eye and Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity Systems enable early detection and swift response to incidents within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

“This has ensured that Nigeria maintained its zero-piracy status in the International Maritime Bureau piracy rating,” he said.

He noted that the Nigerian Navy has taken the initiative to ensure that the entire Gulf of Guinea is free of piracy and other maritime crimes.

“In terms of fleet renewal, the Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of more platforms in support of all our maritime security operations. Notable amongst these are 3 new patrol vessels and 3 newly acquired helicopters, which will be commissioned during the Navy week”.

He explained that the new patrol vessels, NNS SHERE, NNS FARO, and NNS IKOGOSI, are about 38 meters long with an endurance of five days.

According to him, two of the vessels were acquired from Singapore and one from South Korea, adding that all arrived in Nigeria in December 2024.

“These vessels will serve as Seaward Defence boats within Nigeria’s littorals up to the 24 nautical mile contiguous zone and, when necessary, go beyond in hot pursuit as necessary. Essentially, they will improve our presence at sea. Additionally, 3 more Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters will be commissioned, bringing the total number of helicopters in the Nigerian Navy inventory to 14, thus improving our air operations exponentially”.

Speaking on activities lined up for the Navy 69th year anniversary, he said the ceremony will start with the Special Juma’at Prayers which will hold on Friday, 23 May 2025 at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, while the Interdenominational Church Service will hold on Sunday, 25 May 25 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Navy Town, Lagos.

“Medical Rhapsodies and Naval Officers’ Wives Association Activities will be held simultaneously on Monday, 26 May 2025 in Nigerian Navy host communities across Commands,” he said.

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has dismantled nine illegal refining sites in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State.

The command said the sites were hosting 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs and 75 dugout pits containing an estimated 60,000 liters of substance suspected to be crude oil, 80,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 33,000 liters of kerosene.

The Commander in charge of the Command, Commodore Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku, in a statement, confirmed  the operation was conducted on Monday May 12 by operatives of the Navy. 

He explained the Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team of the command uncovered teo wellheads technically connected with pipes being used for siphoning crude oil to their camps.

According to him: “On 12 May 2025, the Nigerian Navy ship pathfinder successfully conducted an operation against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni general area. 

“The Pathfinder Tactical Riverine Assault Squadron Team, acting on credible intelligence, deployed personnel and assets to conduct anti-crude oil theft and illegal bunkering operations. During the operation, the team discovered 2 wellheads connected with pipes used for siphoning crude oil. 

Read Also: Being in Navy most critical time of my life – Cute Abiola

“The team dismantled the connected pipes to the wellheads and also dismantled 9 illegal refining sites with 45 ovens, 30 reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits containing approximately 60,000 liters of suspected stolen crude oil, 80,000 liters of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 33,000 liters of kerosene.

“The products were handled in accordance with anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled upon sighting the patrol team.”

Aniaku commended the personnel for their bravery, reiterating the commitment of the Navy Chief of Staff(NCS), Vice Admiral E. I. Ogalla to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region, which pose significant threats to the nation’s economy and energy security.

To curb the smuggling of firearms into the country, the Nigerian Navy (NN), its Spanish counterparts and the United States (US) Africa Command (AFRICOM) have flagged off this year’s joint sea exercise codenamed OBANGAME EXPRESS.

Flagged off at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT jetty in Lagos, the exercise saw the deployment of seven warships comprising six from Nigeria and one from the Spanish Navy, as well as two helicopters, maritime domain awareness capability assets and detachments of the Special Boat Services (SBS).

Initiated in 2010 to boost regional cooperation and stamp out maritime crimes like piracy, sea robbery and smuggling, the exercise also aimed at improving information-sharing practices, and tactical expertise. 

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla while flagging off the exercise onboard NNS KADA, said it has over the years, played a pivotal role in enhancing Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and regional stability. 

Ogalla who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, said: “This is a plus, especially as we work to promote the Blue Economy under the present administration.”

He noted that the focus for this year’s exercise was on weapons and drugs trafficking, stressing that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Police and relevant agencies would be embarked for the exercise for seamless operation.

The CNS commended President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the Navy, adding that the service was committed to collaborate with all stakeholders and international partners to rid the Gulf of Guinea of criminality.

“Exercise Obangame Express is a multinational military cooperation. So, we have virtually all the states in the Gulf of Guinea signing on to it. It’s an initiative of the United States of America, the Navy in particular, so for every year, of course, we’ll have different countries participating. 

“For this year, we’re having a Spanish warship joining up with over six of our warships and aircraft and other assets. 

“This year, we are focussing on small arms and light weapons, smuggling. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the Gulf of Guinea, which is very known for this kind of illicit activity, is well-policed with this kind of military engagement and ensure that the bad boys don’t have access to start bringing in illegal weapon.

“This exercise has contributed to the reduction of crimes in our waterways. In March 2022, Nigeria was delisted from the countries that the international community viewed as piracy prone and that led to the reduction of premium thereby making shipping to the country attractive.

“That for me is a plus. Moreso, when we’re trying to promote the Blue Economy of the present regime. We need the sea line of communication to be very free, so that we can bring in more goods in order to help our economy,” he said.

The Officer in Tactical Commander (OTC), and Acting Western Fleet Commander, Captain L.D. Deyin, said the exercise was a strategic imperative to tackle mutating threats in the Gulf of Guinea region.

He said the exercise would run between May 9 and 13, adding that the area selected for the operation is 20 to 30 nautical miles southwest of Lagos.

Deyin said the exercise area was subdivided into three sectors, adding that two Nigerian ships and a foreign ship would participate in each sector.

The OTC said maritime interdiction operations would be conducted across the designated areas, adding that the task units have been organized to effectively simulate and counter various maritime threats. 

Maritime Programme Officer, US Consulate, Lt. Benjamin Ralen, who represented the mission at the flag-off, said this year’s exercise would involve over 25 countries.

He emphasised the importance of such operations in building strength, stability, and partnerships across the region. “Over the next few days, there will be a number of highly realistic exercises and scenarios at sea, with a focus on maritime domain awareness, including law of the sea practices. I wish all the ships and units a great exercise and look forward to seeing the results,” Ralen said.

The Nation reports that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, the Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot (ASNOD), the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC) and the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited (ASNDL), were among top dignitaries at the event.

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Escravos Friday, destroyed two illegal crude oil refining sites at Oteghele Community in Obodo-Omadino, Warri South, Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State.

The sites were laden with “about 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) contained in one oven, nine dug out pits and 28 polythene sacks.

Commander of the base, Navy Captain Ikenna Okoloagu, said the operation was part of “the sustained fight against oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage and in support of efforts to boost Nigeria’s daily crude oil production output.

“The successful operation, which was in support of the ongoing Operation Delta Sanity II, was based on credible intelligence.

Read Also: Navy arrests nine pipeline ‘vandals’, recovers 408 drums

“The operation further highlights the commitment of Forward Operating Base to achieve the dictates of the Strategic Directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to root out all forms of illegalities within the maritime environment.”

It would be noted that personnel of the FOB Escravos, about two weeks ago, discovered and deactivated three illegal refining sites in the area.

The sites were laden with about 3,700 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,600 litres of illegally refined AGO, contained in five ovens, 12 dug-out pits and 33 polythene sacks.