The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea, emphasising its role as a stabilising force in combating piracy and ensuring maritime security across the region.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the annual Sea exercise, Ex Eru Obodo, in Lagos, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas stated that the Navy’s sustained operations have contributed significantly to reducing piracy, securing vital shipping routes, and strengthening maritime governance within the Gulf of Guinea.
He noted that “these achievements reflect the Navy’s enhanced operational readiness and its continued collaboration with regional and international partners.”
Vice Admiral Abbas reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy remained resolute in its mission to dominate the maritime domain, ensure freedom of navigation, and deter all forms of criminality at sea, stressing that the nation’s maritime security is non-negotiable.
He said that “Ex Eru Obodo will further boost the operational capabilities of naval personnel, while enhancing surveillance, response, and deterrence measures against emerging maritime threats.”
“Our readiness, strengthened through exercises like this, ensures that we stand as a reliable guardian of both Nigeria’s maritime interests and the broader security architecture of the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
Vice Admiral Abbas noted that Ex Eru Obodo “is designed to sharpen that ability to its finest edge.”
According to him, this year’s exercise has been meticulously crafted to simulate complex, real-world scenarios.
“It will test our capabilities across a broad spectrum of naval warfare: from fleet manoeuvres and advanced gunnery to anti-piracy operations, illegal oil bunkering interdiction, search and rescue, and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS).
“We will practise inter-agency cooperation with key stakeholders and test our logistics and combat sustainability far from our bases,” Vice Admiral Abbas said.
He emphasised that under the leadership and strategic guidance of the President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy stands fully prepared to undertake any mission assigned to it.
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“To all participating ships, helicopters, special forces, and supporting units, this is more than a routine drill; see it as a battle practice. I charge you to operate with tactical rigour, procedural precision, and uncompromising discipline,” he said.
Vice Admiral Abbas urged them to push their platforms and themselves to the limit, identify gaps, learn from every evolution, and build the muscle memory required for victory in a real confrontation.
“Safety must remain paramount throughout all operations,” he said.
Vice Admiral Abbas described the exercise as a cornerstone of the Navy’s operational calendar, “a critical test of our readiness, and a bold declaration of our unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.”
He noted that the name Eru Obodo, a phrase from a local dialect meaning “Guardian of the Nation”, is profoundly apt. It encapsulates the sacred mandate carried by the officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy.
“You are the guardians of our blue territory, the protectors of our national economic lifelines, and the sentinels against all threats emanating from the sea,” Vice Admiral Abbas stated.
He stressed that the strategic importance of Nigeria’s maritime environment “cannot be overstated,” describing it as “the highway for our commerce, the source of immense natural resources, and a vital zone for national security.”
Vice Admiral Abbas commended the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, the Exercise Planning Team, and all supporting staff for the detailed preparations that made the exercise possible.
“Your professionalism is the foundation upon which this exercise will succeed,” he said.
“To the good people of Nigeria, particularly our host communities and those in our coastal areas, we reassure you of our dedication to protecting your environment,” he said.
Vice Admiral Abbas noted that exercises like Ex Eru Obodo translate directly into a more secure Gulf of Guinea, safer waterways for fishermen and mariners, and a more stable environment for economic prosperity.
“Your support for the Nigerian Navy is invaluable.”
“To the Fleet: set sail, guard the nation, the Gulf of Guinea region, and make us proud!” he said.