Navy vows to sustain four-year zero piracy record

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas Photo: Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Navy has vowed to sustain the country’s four-year record of zero reported piracy incidents in its territorial waters, while strengthening operations against emerging threats in the maritime domain.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm Idi Abbas, said this on Tuesday in Calabar at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Naval Warfare Course 10 at the Naval War College Nigeria.

Abbas said the achievement reflected improved maritime security, stressing that persistent maritime domain awareness, credible presence at sea, regional cooperation and timely response were necessary to sustain the gains.

He said the achievement reflected improved maritime security and stressed the need for the Nigerian Navy to sustain its operational tempo against emerging threats in the nation’s maritime domain.

“Encouragingly, Nigeria has maintained zero reported piracy incidents in our waters for four consecutive years, while incidents across the wider Gulf of Guinea have declined significantly.

“These gains must be sustained through persistent maritime domain awareness, credible presence at sea, regional cooperation and timely response,” he said.

The Naval chief said maritime security remained inseparable from Nigeria’s economic security, given the importance of the country’s offshore resources, ports, shipping routes and energy infrastructure.

He said the Navy was therefore intensifying operations against crude oil theft, illegal mining and other forms of economic sabotage capable of undermining national revenue.

“Nigeria’s crude oil production reached about 1.56 million barrels per day in June 2026, so sustained security of the maritime environment remains critical to protecting the country’s economic interests,” he said.

He urged the graduating officers to build on the gains recorded in maritime security by deploying emerging technologies and innovative operational strategies.

“The rapidly changing security environment requires commanders capable of integrating technology, intelligence and operational capabilities across maritime, land, cyber and other domains.

“The graduating officers are expected to build on the gains recorded in maritime security by deploying emerging technologies and innovative operational strategies,” he charged.

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He cited a research project presented by one of the participants, titled “Adopting Emerging Technology for Operational Effectiveness in the Nigerian Navy: The Way Forward for Naval Engineering,” as an indication of the importance of technology to future naval operations.

Abbas said the Navy’s responsibilities extended beyond the maritime environment, noting that its personnel and specialised capabilities continued to support joint operations against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.

He said naval elements were operating alongside sister services in land-based theatres, making jointness and multi-domain capabilities increasingly important.

The CNS also charged the officers to remain apolitical, professional and impartial, particularly as the nation approaches another electoral cycle.

He said personnel deployed for constitutionally authorised security duties must operate strictly within the law and preserve the confidence of citizens.

“Your decisions must remain grounded in the Constitution, the law, professional ethics and respect for human dignity,” Abbas said.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Adm Muhammed Muye, said the course was designed to prepare senior officers for higher responsibilities in command, staff and strategic leadership.

Muye said the contemporary maritime security environment was increasingly complex and required commanders with strategic adaptability and the ability to collaborate across military services, government institutions and international partners.

He said participants underwent training in strategic studies, operational art, maritime security, leadership, defence management, research, simulation exercises and other areas relevant to modern military operations.

The commandant commended the participants for demonstrating discipline, intellectual curiosity, and professionalism throughout the course.

He urged them to apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen Nigeria’s security and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

Participants from Cameroon, Ghana, and Liberia were among the total of 34 participants who completed the Naval Warfare Course 10.