Posts in category: Operations and Exercises

Notice:

Troops of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) JUBILEE, in collaboration with Headquarters 2 Brigade/Operation THUNDER, 6 Battalion Nigerian Army, and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, have uncovered an illegal recruitment and training centre operating in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

At about 1300 hours on 31 August 2026, following credible intelligence on the suspected illegal recruitment of individuals as provisional cadets of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy at Uwa West, Essien Udim LGA, a joint operation was conducted by troops of NNS JUBILEE, personnel of Headquarters 2 Brigade/Operation THUNDER, 6 Battalion and operatives of the VCRU, Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

The joint team subsequently raided the Merchant Seaman Academy, Essien Udim LGA, which was allegedly being used as a venue for the illegal recruitment and training of cadets into the purported fake agency.

During the operation, a total of 12 suspects were arrested, comprising six officials suspected to be involved in the illegal activity, five recruits/trainees and one Merchant Seaman Academy cadet. The arrested suspects were subsequently handed over to the VCRU, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The successful operation underscores the effectiveness of joint operations and inter-agency synergy in tackling emerging security threats. The coordinated efforts of NNS JUBILEE, the Nigerian Army and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command demonstrated the importance of timely intelligence sharing, coordinated planning and seamless cooperation among security agencies. Such collaboration remains critical to strengthening the collective security architecture, disrupting criminal activities and protecting members of the public from fraudulent and illegal recruitment schemes.

GOC 6 Div Pays Courtesy Visit to ENC

On Thursday, 17 September 2026, the General Officer Commanding (GOC),
6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General EI Okoro, paid a courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral CD Okehie.

The visit formed part of the GOC’s familiarization engagements following his assumption of command of 6 Division and provided an opportunity to strengthen the existing relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy within the region.

During the engagement, the GOC commended the FOC for the support extended to Army formations in Calabar and its environs. He further assured the FOC that the Nigerian Army and its formations within the Calabar area would remain available to provide the necessary support whenever called upon, particularly in efforts to combat maritime criminalities within the region.

Responding, the FOC expressed appreciation to the GOC for the visit, noting that the fight against maritime crime requires the collective efforts of all relevant stakeholders. He emphasized that activities at sea and on land are closely interconnected, as incidents at sea may have their roots on land, while activities on land can equally have implications for maritime security. He therefore stressed the need for sustained information sharing to effectively address security challenges in the region.

The visit also featured an exchange of souvenirs as a mark of goodwill and in commemoration of the engagement.

In attendance were the Chief Staff Officer, ENC; the Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army; and senior officers from both Services.

. #OnwardTogether

Click on the weblink to view or download the 2026 version of Eastern Tide Magazine: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19qMOASRYvvKzi1UulIKN7WakVV8IZOpA/view?usp=drive_link

.HQ ENC #OnwardTogether

Exercise Littoral Fury 2026.
ENC Intra-Command Maritime Tactical Live Firing Exercise (18-20 August, 2026.) Click to watch short video highlight here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gZx_8GbD3T-KOnbH5jyAu_781rDTjOjK/view?usp=drive_link

LITTORAL FURY: ENC Sharpens Combat Edge, Reaffirms Resolve to Secure Nigeria’s Waters

From the roar of gunfire across the Calabar Channel to the precision manoeuvres around Dayspring Island, the Nigerian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has brought Exercise LITTORAL FURY to a successful conclusion, demonstrating its readiness to confront emerging threats and protect Nigeria’s maritime interests.

The maiden ENC Intra-Command Maritime Tactical Live Firing Exercise, which ended on 20 August 2026, brought together naval platforms, personnel and sister-service elements in a realistic display of firepower, tactical proficiency and joint operational capability.

More than a firing exercise, LITTORAL FURY provided a practical test of the Command’s ability to operate effectively in the challenging littoral environment, while strengthening the coordination, communication and combat readiness required for maritime operations.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, described rigorous training and realistic operational drills as essential to maintaining a mission-ready force, stressing that tactical proficiency is forged through continuous and demanding training.

The exercise further reinforced the importance of jointness, with personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force working together towards a common objective.

Beyond the live-firing exercises, personnel also competed in a range of skills-based events designed to test speed, precision and weapon-handling proficiency. These included blindfolded rifle stripping and assembling competitions for both male and female personnel, alongside firing competitions such as the 100-metre firing, target shooting, machine gun static and moving firing, among others.

Outstanding personnel were rewarded with medals and recognition across the various competition categories, including awards for overall best performers.

For the ENC, however, the significance of LITTORAL FURY extends beyond the medals and the spectacle of live fire. It is a demonstration of a force continuously preparing, adapting and sharpening its edge to safeguard Nigeria’s waters against threats ranging from piracy and sea robbery to crude oil theft and other forms of maritime criminality.

With the successful conclusion of Exercise LITTORAL FURY, the ENC has once again affirmed its commitment to maintaining a disciplined, professional and mission-ready force, capable of securing the maritime environment and contributing decisively to Nigeria’s national security.

More pictures as highlights:

Handing and Taking over Ceremony. On Tuesday, 4 November 2025, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Donald Okehie assumed duty as the 43rd Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command (ENC) following a formal handing and taking over ceremony with the outgoing FOC, Rear Admiral Kennedy Chukwuemeka Ezete. The event featured the signing of handover notes and the symbolic exchange of the command flag, marking a seamless transition of leadership in one of the Navy’s most strategic maritime formations.

In his remarks, Rear Admiral KC Ezete expressed gratitude to God for a successful tenure and appreciated officers and men of the Command for their loyalty and support. In his maiden address, Rear Admiral CD Okehie commended his predecessor for his outstanding service and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Command’s operations through professionalism, operational readiness, personnel welfare, and enhanced synergy with stakeholders. #OnwardTogether

Handing and Taking over Ceremony between the outgoing Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, and the incoming FOC, Rear Admiral KC Ezete, at HQ ENC Calabar, Cross River State on Wednesday 2 July 2025. #OnwardTogether

On Monday 30 December 2024, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Oil, Senator Hieneken Lokpobiri PhD, flagged off the Operation DELTA SANITY II at Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, in Port Harcourt Rivers State. Recall that Operation DELTA SANITY I was launched by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla in January 2024, as a major anti-crude oil theft operation with the deployment of personnel, patrol boats, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles on aggressive surveillance and interdiction operations across the Niger Delta area in line with the President and Commander-in-Chief’s directive to eradicate crude oil theft and ramp up Nigeria’s production for an improved economy. Since then, the operation has been a huge success.

In 2024, a total of 215 suspects and 26 vessels were arrested while 468 Illegal Refinery Sites were deactivated. Also, an estimated quantity of 6.5million litres of stolen crude oil and 7million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled. Furthermore, 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits and 279 storage tanks were deactivated. In his remarks, Senator Lokpobiri confirmed that these successes contributed significantly to increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production to about 1.8million barrels per day. While commending the Nigerian Navy on this remarkable achievement, he expressed optimism that more could be done.

Similarly, the Chief of the Naval Staff stated that Operation DELTA SANITY II would build on the successes of Operation DELTA SANITY I but it would involve increased Aerial surveillance through improved deployment of Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Armed Attack Drones. He added that the operation will also incorporate non-kinetic measures, improved collaboration with sister services, security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure continuous increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production to over 2 million barrels per day. Finally, the Chief of the Naval Staff charged all participating Commands, Units and Establishments to strive towards realizing the desired operational objectives of Operation DELTA SANITY II while expressing his profound gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Navy.

#NigerianNavy #CrudeOilTheft #OperationDeltaSanity #TheNigerianNavyIsUndettered #UnrelentlessFightAgainstCrudeOilTheft #OnwardTogether

The flag off ceremony for the hydrographic survey of the Bakassi Deep Sea Port Area (BDSA) was conducted at the Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY Jetty on Saturday 21 December 2024. It is noteworthy that the intention of the Cross River State (CRS) Government to construct a 20m deep sea port at Bakassi and boost shipping activities in the eastern flank of the Country necessitated the survey of the BDSA. In attendance were His Excellency, the Governor of CRS, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, the Chief of Naval Staff represented by the Flag Officer Commanding East Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, the Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, Speaker of the CRS House of Assembly, representatives of AFREXIM and ARISE IIP, principal members of CRS Government cabinet, industry stakeholders, the Paramount Ruler of Akpabuyo LGA and other invited guests.

Pertinently, the event commenced with opening remarks by the Surveyor General of CRS. Subsequently, the Special Assistant on International Cooperation and Investment CRS, the Hydrographer of the Federation and the representative of the CNS made some remarks before the speech by His Excellency, the Governor. Thereafter, the Governor and his entourage were taken round the various hydrographic survey charts/equipments on display. The flag off proper was conducted onboard NNS LANA around the BDSA to signify the official commencement of the survey. The ceremony was successful marking the commencement of the survey.

#NigerianNavy

#OnwardTogether

On Sunday, 8 December 2024, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, flagged off the Nigerian Navy (NN) annual Sea Inspection with the simultaneous deployment of 15 warships and 3 helicopters. The Flag Off ceremony took place onboard Nigerian Naval Ship KADA in Port Harcourt.

The CNS Sea Inspection is an annual exercise where the NN deploys most of her men o’ war and air assets in readiness for combat. This year, the Annual Sea Inspection is nicknamed Exercise DEIN ABAJI which translates to “Calm Waters” in Kalabari dialect. The Sea Exercise will showcase the NN’s ability to protect the maritime environment for national economic prosperity.

In his remarks, the CNS stated that this year’s exercise is particularly relevant considering the Government’s desire to develop the nation’s blue economy. It is therefore imperative that the NN builds capacity to secure its maritime environment which also extends to the Gulf of Guinea.

The CNS also underscored how the NN maritime security operations have led to significant improvement in legitimate shipping activities and rise in Nigeria’s oil production as several multinational oil companies have reported 100 per cent terminal factor. Finally, the CNS expressed profound appreciation to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his unflinching support to the NN in the fulfilment of its constitutional roles.

The 15 ships that cast off for Exercise DEIN ABAJI are:

1.⁠ ⁠NNS KADA

2.⁠ ⁠DB ABUJA

3.⁠ ⁠NNS IBENO

4.⁠ ⁠NNS KANO

5.⁠ ⁠NNS SOKOTO

6.⁠ ⁠NNS OJI

7.⁠ ⁠NNS ANDONI

8.⁠ ⁠NNS CHALAWA

9.⁠ ⁠NNS BURUTU

10.⁠ ⁠NNS ZUR

11.⁠ ⁠NNS DORINA

12.⁠ ⁠NNS ABA

13.⁠ ⁠NNS BOMADI

14.⁠ ⁠NNS EKULU

15.⁠ ⁠NNS IKENNE

 #OnwardTogether

#ExDEINABAJI

#OnwardTogether