* Establishes special operations command in Makurdi

The Nigerian Navy will, as part of activities marking its 69th Anniversary, boost its fleet with three new patrol vessels and three helicopters.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, while briefing journalists on the planned celebration, said the Nigerian Navy has grown from its humble beginnings with a handful of coastal boats into a force to be reckoned with, not only in the West African sub-region, but also in the Gulf of Guinea and indeed the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

Ogalla, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP), Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, also said the Navy has concluded plans to establish a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State.

He said the Command would complement the efforts of sister services and other security agencies to improve the security situation in the Middle Belt region.

“The Navy has concluded plans to establish a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State. The Command will be situated on the North Bank of the River Benue and would complement the efforts of sister services and other security agencies to improve the security situation in the Middle Belt region,” he said.

He said the Nigerian Navy in 2025 arrested 215 suspects, 26 vessels and deactivated 468 Illegal Refinery Sites.

He added that an estimated quantity of 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 7 million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled.

Furthermore, 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits and 279 storage tanks were deactivated.

According to the CNS, the Navy since January 2025, destroyed 103 Illegal Refinery Sites and arrested 34 suspects linked to crude oil theft .

The Service also seized 39 wooden boats and one ship involved in crude theft within the year.

Meanwhile, 773,000 litres of crude oil and 150,000 of refined products have been recovered this year.

Ogalla stated further that the Nigerian Navy has continued to maintain round-the-clock situational awareness of Nigeria’s maritime domain extending to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone through the Maritime Domain Awareness Facilities.

According to the CNS, the Falcon Eye and Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity Systems enable early detection and swift response to incidents within Nigeria’s maritime environment.

“This has ensured that Nigeria maintained its zero-piracy status in the International Maritime Bureau piracy rating,” he said.

He reiterated that the Nigerian Navy has taken the initiative to ensure that the entire Gulf of Guinea is free of piracy and other maritime crimes.

“In terms of fleet renewal, the Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of more platforms in support of all our maritime security operations. Notable amongst these are 3 new patrol vessels and 3 newly acquired helicopters, which will be commissioned during the Navy week,” he added.

He explained that the new patrol vessels ; NNS SHERE, NNS FARO and NNS IKOGOSI are about 38 meters long with an endurance of five days.

According to him, two of the vessels were acquired from Singapore and one from South Korea,adding that all arrived Nigeria in December 2024.

“These vessels will serve as Seaward Defence boats within Nigeria’s littorals up to the 24 nautical mile contiguous zone and when necessary, go beyond in hot pursuit as necessary. Essentially, they will improve our presence at sea. Additionally, 3 more Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters will be commissioned, bringing the total number of helicopters in the Nigerian Navy inventory to 14, thus improving our air operations exponentially.”