The Nigerian Navy has launched a large-scale maritime security operation under Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026, deploying 10 warships, two helicopters and elite Special Boat Service personnel to counter growing threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony held onboard NNS Ikenne on Sunday.
He was represented at the event by the Chief of Operations at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Patrick Effah.
According to the naval leadership, the exercise is designed to boost operational readiness and strengthen coordinated responses to maritime threats across the region.
Participating units will engage in a range of simulated operations, including anti-arms and drug trafficking missions, counter-crude oil theft activities, and enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The drill will also feature visit, board, search and seizure procedures, search and rescue operations, and simulated hot pursuit scenarios at sea.
Naval authorities said the scenarios have been carefully structured to test the preparedness of personnel, enhance tactical coordination and improve real-time responses to security challenges in maritime environments.
Describing OBANGAME EXPRESS as a strategic platform, the Navy noted that the exercise has grown into a critical tool for fostering regional cooperation and strengthening joint maritime security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.
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The initiative, launched in 2010 by the United States Navy in collaboration with African partners, continues to promote interoperability and collective action among participating countries.
The naval chief highlighted Nigeria’s progress in maritime security, recalling that the country was removed from the piracy-prone list of the International Maritime Bureau in 2022 following sustained anti-piracy efforts.
He said the improved security environment has contributed to increased investor confidence, higher shipping activity and supports the Federal Government’s push to develop a sustainable blue economy.
Vice Admiral Abbas also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continued support to the armed forces, while praising naval personnel for their professionalism.
In a related remark, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, described the exercise as a major multinational operation spanning West and Central Africa under the sponsorship of the United States Africa Command.
He stressed that the Gulf of Guinea remains a vital global shipping corridor rich in economic resources, underscoring the need for sustained collaboration to safeguard maritime trade and regional stability.