The Nigerian Navy on Thursday concluded the 2026 Exercise Obangame Express, a multinational maritime security simulation involving navies from the Gulf of Guinea and partner nations in Europe.
Speaking with journalists aboard NNS Kada at the Bonny Anchorage, the Chief of Naval Operations, Rear Admiral Patrick Effah, described the exercise as a resounding success marked by professionalism and strong international collaboration.
Effah said the exercise featured 10 naval ships, two helicopters, several boats, and a Spanish merchant vessel, demonstrating the collective readiness of participating forces to tackle maritime threats across the region.
According to him, the operation underscored the capacity of Gulf of Guinea navies to combat crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, smuggling, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as drug trafficking.
“We did not just exercise alone; we worked with other navies and partners of the Gulf of Guinea, not only to project our capabilities within our maritime domain but also beyond our shores,” he said. “The exercise was adjudged a huge success and conducted in a highly professional manner.”
Effah noted that the Nigerian Navy remains committed to ensuring a secure maritime environment to support trade and commerce, adding that sustained naval presence at sea is critical to boosting confidence among seafarers.
“The importance of this exercise is to showcase our potential and reassure maritime stakeholders that they can conduct their activities without fear. We are out there, watching and ready to deter criminal elements,” he added.
He further urged naval personnel to remain dedicated, stressing that significant resources had been committed to the exercise and must translate into improved national security and economic growth.
Earlier, at the inauguration of the exercise on Sunday at the Naval Jetty in Onne, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said Obangame Express was designed to strengthen regional security, enhance information sharing, and improve tactical capabilities in combating maritime crimes.
He noted that the exercise also aims to deepen diplomatic ties and naval cooperation among participating countries while promoting a secure maritime domain essential for economic development.
The CNS recalled that previous editions of the exercise contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the global list of piracy-prone countries in 2022, and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continued support to the Navy.
Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, said the exercise provided a strategic platform for collaboration and operational efficiency in addressing transnational maritime threats.
He highlighted key challenges in the region to include piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishing, crude oil theft, and smuggling, noting that the Gulf of Guinea remains a critical corridor for global energy supply, international trade, and regional stability.
Okehie added that the 2026 exercise was timely, given renewed global focus on the region, and emphasized Nigeria’s strategic role in safeguarding maritime infrastructure and economic assets.
