By Sadiq Bello, Abuja
The Nigerian Navy has commenced a large-scale deployment of naval and air assets for Exercise Obangame Express 2026, a multinational maritime security operation involving over 30 countries aimed at tackling transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that the Navy has committed nine warships, two helicopters, Special Boat Service (SBS) operatives, and advanced maritime surveillance assets to the five-day exercise.
He said, “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.”
According to him, the exercise, which runs from April 26 to 30, is being conducted with the support of the United States Africa Command and is designed to boost coordination among navies and security agencies across West and Central Africa.
“The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability among navies and maritime security agencies… while addressing transnational maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal fishing, and trafficking,” he said.
Folorunsho added that the operation also features active collaboration with key Nigerian agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.
He noted that the flag-off ceremony took place onboard NNS Ikenne and was presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by Rear Admiral Patrick Effah.
In his remarks, the CNS described the exercise as vital to strengthening regional security architecture.
He said the initiative is focused on “building trust, strengthening interoperability, and developing the operational capacity of participating forces to respond effectively to evolving maritime threats.”
The Navy chief further explained that the drills would include realistic simulations such as “counter-piracy operations, anti-trafficking drills, illegal fishing interdictions, search and rescue missions, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) procedures.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s achievements, Abbas referenced the country’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy watch list in 2022, attributing the success to sustained collaboration and initiatives like Obangame Express.
He also linked the exercise to the Navy’s 70th anniversary, describing it as a reflection of decades of commitment to maritime security and regional stability.
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