The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on Monday formally flagged off the Nigerian Navy’s Annual Sea Exercise, EX ERU OBODO, reaffirming the Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and contributing to security across the Gulf of Guinea.
Delivering his remarks at the flag-off ceremony held on 8 December 2025, Vice Admiral Abbas described the exercise as a central pillar of the Nigerian Navy’s operational calendar and a critical platform for testing fleet readiness, operational effectiveness and combat preparedness.
According to the Naval Chief, the exercise codenamed ERU OBODO, meaning “Guardian of the Nation” aptly reflects the constitutional and professional mandate of the Nigerian Navy. “You are the guardians of our blue territory, the protectors of our national economic lifelines, and the sentinels against threats emanating from the sea,” he charged officers and ratings participating in the exercise.
He noted that Nigeria’s maritime environment remains strategically vital as a corridor for commerce, a source of immense natural resources and a frontline of national security. As such, the Navy’s ability to dominate the maritime space, guarantee freedom of navigation and deter criminality remains non-negotiable.
Vice Admiral Abbas explained that EX ERU OBODO has been carefully structured to mirror real-world operational challenges. The exercise will test a broad range of naval competencies, including fleet manoeuvres, advanced gunnery, anti-piracy operations, suppression of illegal oil bunkering, search and rescue missions, and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
The exercise will also evaluate inter-agency cooperation with key maritime stakeholders, as well as the Navy’s capacity for logistics support and combat sustainability at extended ranges from shore bases.
Beyond Nigeria’s waters, the CNS reiterated that the Nigerian Navy remains a key stabilising force in the Gulf of Guinea, contributing significantly to the reduction of piracy, protection of shipping lanes and the promotion of maritime governance in the region.
Under the leadership of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he affirmed that the Navy stands fully prepared to undertake any mission assigned to it. “Exercises like this strengthen our readiness and ensure that we remain a reliable guardian of Nigeria’s maritime interests and regional maritime security,” he said.
Addressing participating ships, helicopters, special forces and supporting units, the Naval Chief urged personnel to view the exercise not as a routine drill but as battle preparation.
“You must operate with tactical rigor, procedural precision and uncompromising discipline. Push your platforms and yourselves to the limit, identify gaps, learn from every evolution and build the muscle memory required for real combat,” he stressed, while emphasizing that safety must remain paramount throughout all phases of the exercise.
He commended the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, the Exercise Planning Team and supporting staff for their thorough preparations, describing their professionalism as the backbone of the exercise’s success.
To coastal communities and Nigerians at large, Vice Admiral Abbas reassured that the Navy remains resolute in protecting lives, livelihoods and the maritime environment. He added that the exercise would translate into safer waterways for fishermen and mariners, a more secure Gulf of Guinea and enhanced economic prosperity.
Expressing confidence in the Navy’s fighting spirit and professionalism, the CNS officially declared EX ERU OBODO underway, urging the fleet to “set sail, guard the nation and make us proud.”
Earlier, while delivering his Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) address during the Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Sea Inspection 2025 (CASI 25), the FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, described the exercise as the culmination of all naval operations and exercises conducted during the year.
Rear Admiral Mustapha noted that CASI 25 provides an opportunity for the CNS to assess the operational readiness of the fleet in line with his mission of deploying a highly motivated, professional and combat-ready Navy capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations.
He observed that the maritime environment has become increasingly complex, with persistent threats such as sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal trafficking and unregulated exploitation of marine resources.
“Exercises like ERU OBODO allow us to test our fleet under realistic conditions, validate doctrines, enhance interoperability and refine the tactical skills required for maritime dominance,” he said.
According to him, the exercise brings together surface platforms, air assets, special operations forces and key maritime security stakeholders in multi-layered maritime interdiction operations. Planned scenarios include anti-illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (Anti-IUUF), AIS infractions with hot pursuit, anti-crude oil theft, anti-piracy, anti-small arms and anti-narcotics operations, all executed through established VBSS procedures.
Participating ships will also undergo medical evacuation drills, fleet manoeuvres, gunnery exercises, communication drills and emergency responses, all aimed at ensuring a high state of operational preparedness.
Also speaking, the Officer Conducting the Exercise (OCE) and Chief of Operations Naval Headquarters Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, said the exercise aligns squarely with the CNS Strategic Directives on fleet readiness and mission effectiveness.
He explained that CASI 25 is designed to test and refine the Navy’s capacity to secure Nigeria’s maritime interests through effective command and control, logistics sustainability, tactical manoeuvres and coordinated employment of maritime and air assets.
Rear Admiral Katagum urged all participants to demonstrate initiative, situational awareness, adherence to doctrine and strict compliance with safety standards, noting that performance during the exercise reflects the Navy’s collective capacity to deter threats and maintain national stability.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the exercise, Vice Admiral Abbas clarified that the operation is a routine annual activity and not a response to any specific incident.
“This exercise is an annual one. Its timing is purely coincidental,” he said, adding that part of the Navy’s mandate is to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
He stressed that the primary objective is to assess the Navy’s operational capabilities, identify gaps and further enhance preparedness. “We rehearse during peacetime to prepare for war. We expect to come out of this exercise with a stronger and more capable Navy,” he said.
On piracy and illegal fishing, the CNS noted that sustained patrols and exercises such as EX ERU OBODO are essential to maintaining recent security gains and sending a clear message to maritime criminals that the Nigerian Navy remains vigilant, capable and ever ready.