Africa’s strongest naval force flexes its power as it vows to crush dangerous sea pirates and oil thieves

The Nigerian Naval force has taken a formidable stand against maritime crime, pledging to take tougher measures against piracy, sea robbery, and crude oil theft in Nigeria’s waterways.

• The Nigerian Navy has intensified efforts to eliminate piracy, sea robbery, and crude oil theft from the nation’s waterways.
• A large-scale live-firing exercise, Exercise Littoral Fury, was held in Cross River State to demonstrate and enhance combat readiness.
• Naval leadership emphasized that continuous, rigorous training and advanced drills are vital for maintaining maritime security.
• The navy established a permanent operational base on Dayspring Island.

During a major maritime tactical live-firing exercise in Cross River State, Nigeria, naval leaders demonstrated their operational strength and sent a clear message to criminals operating in the region.

The three-day event, codenamed Exercise Littoral Fury, marked a significant step in the force’s efforts to secure Nigeria’s vital maritime assets and protect the national economy.

A tactical exercise shows combat readiness

The live-firing exercise was designed to prepare naval personnel for real-world combat scenarios and improve their speed in responding to security threats on the water.

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Representatives of the naval leadership emphasized that maintaining high standards of training is essential to securing the nation’s waters.

Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, stressed the importance of these exercises.

“Rigorous training and realistic operational drills are not optional activities. They are the prize of maritime dominance,” Ibrahim said.

The drills involved gunboats, air assets, and various weapons ranging from 9mm pistols to automatic grenade launchers, demonstrating the navy’s tactical agility.

Naval force takes over former militant stronghold

The exercise was strategically located at Dayspring Island, an area that once served as one of the largest militant camps in the region.

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By establishing a permanent presence there, the navy has successfully reclaimed the territory and converted it into an operational base.

Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim noted that this security presence will drastically improve safety for local residents and boost trade in the surrounding waterways, which extend toward Cameroon.

“By the presence of the Navy here, it’s going to increase commerce; it will provide safety of lives and property,” Ibrahim stated.

This deployment is expected to restore commercial confidence and generate more revenue for the federal government.

Naval dominance through rigorous preparation

Securing the coastal, shallow-water environments presents unique difficulties that require highly specialized training and close cooperation.

Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie, the Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Command, explained that the navy is increasingly utilizing advanced technology, innovation, and intelligence to track and prevent maritime crimes.

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“The littoral environment presents unique operational challenges that require specialised skills, appropriate tactics, effective communication and seamless coordination among security agencies,” Okehie told Punch Newspaper.

Through these modernized and coordinated efforts, the navy aims to project its power across both land and sea, ensuring complete maritime dominance.