Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Nigerian Navy has intensified its fight against maritime crime with the launch of a major security exercise designed to curb piracy, oil theft, smuggling and other threats crippling Nigeria’s economic lifeline.
The large-scale operation, codenamed Exercise EBI-TORU — an Ijaw phrase meaning “Sea Protection” — was flagged off on Tuesday by the Central Naval Command (CNC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Flag Officer Commanding the CNC, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, said the exercise is a strategic push to close security gaps across Nigeria’s waters, especially in the Niger Delta where crude oil theft and illegal activities continue to undermine national revenue.
He explained that the country’s maritime domain remains critical to its survival, handling the bulk of Nigeria’s international trade, yet facing daily threats from illegal fishing, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and sea robbery.
According to him, “the maritime domain remains the lifeblood of our economy yet we face evolving threats including illegal fishing, arms and drug trafficking and sea robbery. Exercises like EBI-TORU helps to identify gaps, close vulnerabilities, and validate our operational readiness.”
The inter-agency drill mobilizes Navy ships, helicopter, gunboats, and personnel, working jointly with other federal security agencies including the NDLEA, Nigeria Ports Authority, Police, NSCDC and the Customs Service.
Over the coming days, participating units will conduct coordinated patrols, protect critical infrastructure, carry out vessel-boarding drills, run anti-piracy operations and simulate search-and-rescue missions.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim described the initiative as a decisive readiness test and a precursor to the 2025 Annual Sea Inspection by the Chief of the Naval Staff in Lagos. He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for enabling stronger naval operations across the country.
He charged personnel to remain focused, saying, “We must sustain a credible naval presence to secure our waters for national prosperity. I charge all participating units to strive toward the objectives of this exercise.”
With the launch of Exercise EBI-TORU, the Nigerian Navy signals another strong step in safeguarding the nation’s economic assets and ensuring safer waterways for trade and national development.
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