Trending 
The Nigerian Navy has deployed 10 ships, two helicopters and other assets in a major operation aimed at combating piracy, sea robbery and illegal trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea, officials said Sunday.
Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas announced the deployment while flagging off Exercise Obangame Express 2026 aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship KADA in Onne, Rivers State.
Abbas, represented by Rear Admiral P.E. Effah, Chief of Naval Operations at Naval Headquarters, said the annual exercise was initiated in 2010 by the United States Navy in collaboration with Gulf of Guinea nations.
“It remains a critical instrument for fostering unity of effort, enhancing interoperability, and consolidating our shared resolve to secure our maritime domain against emerging and evolving threats,” Abbas said.
“The core objectives of the exercise are clear and enduring. It includes strengthening regional maritime security cooperation, enhancing information sharing and maritime domain awareness, and improving tactical and operational readiness.
“It also includes building the capacity of participating navies to effectively counter both national and transnational maritime crimes, including piracy, sea robbery, illegal trafficking and other illicit activities at sea. The importance of this exercise cannot be overstated.”
Abbas said Exercise Obangame has significantly improved diplomatic relations and strengthened naval partnerships across the region.
“For this year’s exercise, the Nigerian Navy will deploy 10 ships, two helicopters, maritime domain awareness assets and elements of the Special Boat Service,” Abbas said.
He said the assets would be engaged in anti-illegal trafficking of arms and drugs operations; anti-crude oil theft operations; anti-illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; visit, board, search, and seizure procedures; as well as search-and-rescue exercises and simulation of hot pursuit.
“These activities are deliberately structured to sharpen our operational competence, test our readiness and refine our collective response mechanisms to real-world maritime threats,” he added.
“The success of an exercise of this magnitude is underpinned by meticulous planning, robust logistics and unwavering commitment.”
