Nigeria Deploys 10 Warships, 2 Helicopters, Specialised Personnels To Tackle Insecurity In Guinea

The Nigerian Navy has launched a large-scale maritime security operation across the Gulf of Guinea, deploying 10 warships, two helicopters and specialised personnel to combat piracy, crude oil theft and other transnational crimes threatening the region.

The operation, codenamed Exercise Obangame Express 2026, was officially flagged off on Sunday aboard Nigerian Navy Ship KADA in Onne, Rivers State, by the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas.

Represented at the ceremony by the Chief of Naval Operations, Rear Admiral P. E. Abbas described the exercise as a critical multinational effort designed to strengthen coordinated maritime security across the increasingly volatile Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, the deployment includes advanced maritime domain awareness systems and elite Special Boat Service operatives tasked with executing complex missions targeting piracy, sea robbery, illegal arms and drug trafficking, as well as unregulated fishing.

He explained that naval assets would also conduct visit, board, search and seizure operations, search-and-rescue missions and simulated hot pursuit drills aimed at enhancing real-time response capabilities.

Exercise Obangame Express, first initiated in 2010 by the United States Navy in collaboration with regional partners, has evolved into a major platform for strengthening cooperation among navies in West and Central Africa.

“It remains a critical instrument for fostering unity of effort, enhancing interoperability, and consolidating our shared resolve to secure our maritime domain against emerging threats,” Abbas said.

He noted that the core objectives of the exercise include improving intelligence sharing, boosting maritime domain awareness and enhancing operational readiness among participating countries.

Abbas emphasised that the drills are deliberately structured to test real-world readiness and sharpen tactical competence. “The success of an exercise of this magnitude is underpinned by meticulous planning, robust logistics and unwavering commitment,” he added.

The naval chief also commended President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces, while praising officers and personnel for their dedication to securing Nigeria’s maritime environment.

In his remarks, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral C. D. Okehie, described the exercise as a vital multinational initiative conducted under the sponsorship of the United States Africa Command.

Okehie warned that Nigeria’s maritime domain—rich in economic resources—remains highly vulnerable to criminal exploitation, stressing the strategic importance of sustained collaboration.

He highlighted the Gulf of Guinea as a major global shipping corridor essential to international trade, noting that its importance also makes it a prime target for evolving maritime threats.

“It is imperative that Nigeria continues to strengthen its maritime security capabilities while deepening cooperation with regional and international partners,” he said.

The launch of Exercise Obangame Express 2026 comes amid persistent concerns over piracy, oil theft and illegal fishing, which continue to pose serious risks to economic stability and security in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.