The Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has directed commanders of Nigerian Navy commands, units, and establishments to intensify operational activities across the nation’s maritime domain to safeguard territorial integrity and decisively combat criminal activities threatening its waters.
The Naval Chief emphasised the need for sustained vigilance, operational readiness, and coordinated efforts to curb crimes such as piracy, oil theft, smuggling, and other illegal activities undermining national security and economic stability.
During a strategic meeting at Naval Headquarters with Flag Officers Commanding, commanders of Tri-Service operations, operations bases, and logistics groups, the CNS reaffirmed the importance of upholding the Nigerian Navy’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.
The CNS’s strategic engagement with the commanders, four months after assuming command of the Navy, was aimed at rejigging all Nigerian Navy operations across all spectrums as outlined in the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy.
This followed an extensive operational tour, during which he engaged directly with personnel across all Navy units and consulted with key stakeholders to enhance operational effectiveness.
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas said this aligns with his vision to develop a modern, agile, and professional naval force dedicated to securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives in synergy with other security agencies.
He also commended the operational successes of the Navy’s flagship operation, Operation DELTA SENTINEL, along with other similar initiatives conducted by the Nigerian Navy.
The CNS lauded the increase in intelligence-led and technology-driven naval operations, which have resulted in major seizures of stolen crude oil, the destruction of illegal refining sites, arrests of illegal bunkerers, and improved search-and-rescue operations.
He stated: “These efforts have ensured zero piracy in Nigeria’s waters, boosted oil production, and saved the nation billions of Naira that could have been lost to criminal elements.”
Government Support
Vice Admiral Abbas assured the Federal Government’s commitment to support the Nigerian Navy through strategic investments that strengthen operations and enhance personnel welfare.
He also applauded the Navy’s significant contributions in ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across all joint theatres in the country.
The CNS charged commanders to sustain these efforts and continue collaborating with sister services and other security agencies.
“The expectations from the presidency to the Navy are high, and commanders are to work assiduously to accomplish all assigned tasks,” the CNS stated.
He further emphasised the need to maintain operational tempo and ensure gains are not eroded.
At the meeting, he reiterated his command’s philosophy, stressing discipline, integrity, merit, accountability, and personnel welfare as key tenets.
Drawing on his leadership ethos, the CNS stated: “Merit must be rewarded to serve as motivation for others.”
He further urged Commanders to take personal responsibility of the men and materiel placed under their care, using allocated resources to better the system.