The Nigerian Navy has said it is now leveraging technology to fight maritime crimes and support Nigeria’s blue economy.The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, said that through improved maritime domain awareness, which is a technology-based evolution for detecting infringements and crimes in the country’s maritime environment, the navy will utilise technology to guide responses to crimes.

The naval chief also revealed that the Navy is investing heavily in drone operations and cyber-warfare all aimed at protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

Ogalla also reassured the Navy’s preparedness to ensure the smooth operation of the Nigerian Blue Economy through efficient maritime operations. He stated this onboard Navy Ship Kada during the 2024 Ship of Naval Staff Annual Sea Inspection Exercise codenamed ‘Exercise Dein Abaji’.

He explained that the yearly exercise aims to test the readiness of the fleets to combat maritime crimes and protect the country’s territorial waterways. He also noted that the exercise allowed the Navy to test its ability to project force at sea through its amphibious operations.

“First of all, the essence of the Chief of Naval Staff Annual Sea Inspection and Exercise is to test our operational readiness. That is the operational readiness of the fleet to combat crimes in the maritime environment, as well as our readiness to meet with our statutory military role of defending the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in the maritime domain,” he stated. 
 
Ogalla, while expressing satisfaction with the exercises, assured personnel of the Navy that arrangements were in place to take care of their welfare and further called for increased dedication of officers.