Navy Deploy 9 Warships, 2 Helicopters To Protect Gulf Of Guinea

The Nigerian Navy has deployed nine warships, two helicopters,maritime domain awareness assets, and Special Boat Service (SBS) elements to ensure maritime security in the gulf of Guinea.

The assets are deployed for Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026 (OE 26), a multinational maritime exercise aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and improving collective capacity to combat maritime threats within the Gulf of Guinea.

The Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, represented by the Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral Patrick Effah, flagged off the Exercise onboard NNS IKENNE on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

A statement by the Naval Spokesman, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026, conducted with support from the United States Africa Command, is a multinational initiative involving over 30 participating nations.

He said the exercise is designed to enhance interoperability among navies and maritime security agencies across West and Central Africa, while addressing transnational maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, and trafficking.

“The 5-day exercise, scheduled from 26 to 30 April 2026, features the deployment of 9 Nigerian Navy ships, 2 helicopters, maritime domain awareness assets, and Special Boat Service (SBS) elements,”

Vice Admiral Abbas in his remarks described the exercise as a critical platform for fostering unity of effort, improving information sharing, and enhancing maritime awareness across the region.

He emphasized that the essence of OE 26 lies in building trust, strengthening interoperability, and developing the operational capacity of participating forces to respond effectively to evolving maritime threats.

The CNS further noted that the exercise is deliberately structured to sharpen operational readiness, enhance interdiction capabilities, and test response mechanisms through realistic, scenario-based engagements, including counter-piracy operations, anti-trafficking drills, illegal fishing interdictions, search and rescue missions, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) procedures.

The Naval Chief highlighting Nigeria’s progress in maritime security, referenced the country’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone countries in 2022, attributing the achievement to sustained collaboration with regional and international partners, as well as initiatives such as OBANGAME EXPRESS.

He also underscored the strategic importance of securing the Gulf of Guinea, noting that the region remains vital to global trade, energy security, and economic stability.

He reiterated that Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026 coincides with the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, reflecting seven decades of dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and contributing to regional peace and security.

The exercise also includes active participation from key national agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), thereby reinforcing inter-agency synergy.