By Evelyn Usman

The Nigerian Navy has flagged off its annual sea inspection, codenamed Exercise ERU OBODO, aimed at assessing the operational readiness of its fleet and strengthening maritime security across the nation’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

 Speaking during the ceremony held onboard Nigerian Navy Ship KADA in Apapa, Lagos, on Monday, December 8,2025,  Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, explained that the name of the exercise, ERU OBODO, was a Yoruba phrase  interpreted as “Guardian (or Fear) of Our National Waters,” signifying that criminals should be afraid to traverse Nigerian waters, adding that it reflected the Navy’s constitutional mandate.

Noting that Nigeria’s maritime environment remained central to the country’s economic survival, he warned that ensuring its safety required constant preparedness.

 He explained that, “This year’s exercise has been meticulously crafted to simulate complex, real-world scenarios. It will test our capabilities across a broad spectrum of naval warfare: from fleet manoeuvres and advanced gunnery to anti-piracy operations, illegal oil bunkering interdiction, search and rescue, and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS). We will practice inter-agency cooperation with key stakeholders and test our logistics and combat sustainability far from our bases.”

Vice Admiral Abbas also highlighted Nigeria’s role in the wider Gulf of Guinea, noting that the Navy had contributed significantly to reducing piracy and improving regional maritime governance.

He said, “Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy stands fully prepared to undertake any mission assigned to us. Exercises like this ensure we remain a reliable guardian of Nigeria’s maritime interests and a stabilising force within the Gulf of Guinea.”

Addressing participating units, the Naval Chief urged personnel to approach the exercise as a serious test of combat readiness rather than a routine drill.

“Operate with tactical rigour, procedural precision and uncompromising discipline. Our readiness, strengthened through exercises like this, ensures that we stand as a reliable guardian of both Nigeria’s maritime interests and the broader security architecture of the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

Earlier, the Officer in Tactical Command ,OTC for the Chief of Naval Staff  Annual Sea Inspection, Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, explained that Ex ERU OBODO represented the culmination of all naval operations conducted throughout the year.

 He said, “CASI provides the Chief of the Naval Staff with a critical opportunity to assess our operational readiness in line with his mission to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force. Exercises like ERU OBODO allow us to test our fleet under realistic conditions, validate doctrines, strengthen interoperability and sharpen the tactical skills essential for maritime dominance.”

He explained that this year’s inspection brought together surface ships, air assets, special operations forces and key maritime security stakeholders in a series of multifaceted interdiction operations, adding that the planned scenarios include anti–illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing operations involving officials of the Federal Department of Fisheries; AIS infraction drills with hot pursuit; anti–crude oil theft missions; and anti-piracy, anti–small arms and anti-narcotics operations.

“Every task will be executed through established VBSS procedures, supported by MEDEVAC drills, fleet manoeuvres, gunnery exercises and emergency responses. These activities are designed to ensure that the Navy maintains a heightened state of preparedness to tackle maritime crimes across our domain.”

On his part, the Officer Conducting the Exercise OCE Rear Admiral M.B. Katagum, said the operation demanded the precise coordination of ships, aircraft, maritime security teams and special operations forces, as well as “discipline, teamwork and unwavering commitment to procedural excellence” to meet the standards of “a modern, agile and combat-ready Navy.”

Rear Admiral Katagum stressed that personnel would be assessed on tactical manoeuvres, command and control efficiency, logistics sustainability and overall mission execution. He urged participating units to uphold the highest professional standards, reminding  that every action taken on the water reflected directly on the Navy’s ability to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain.