The Nigerian Navy will boost its fleet with an additional three patrol vessels and three fighter helicopters to tame maritime and inland waterways crimes.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, announced this on Monday, during a press briefing, as part of activities to mark the Navy’s 69th anniversary, in Abuja.

Vice Admiral Ogalla also announced that the Navy had concluded plans to establish a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said that the Nigerian Navy has grown from its humble beginnings with a handful of coastal boats into a force to be reckoned with in the Gulf of Guinea and the entire sub-Saharan Africa.

Represented by Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abdullahi Dewu, the Naval Chief said the Special Command would complement the efforts of sister services and other security agencies to improve the security situation in the North Central region.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said since the beginning of their year to date, the Navy arrested 215 suspects, 26 vessels, and deactivated 468 illegal refinery sites.

He said, “Additionally, 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 him, in January 2025 alone, the Navy destroyed 103 Illegal refinery sites and arrested 34 suspects linked to crude oil theft.

“The service also seized 39 wooden boats and one ship, 773 thousand litres of crude oil and 150 thousand litres of refined products,” he said.

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 our 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 noted 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 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 in 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”.

Speaking on activities lined up for the Navy 69th year anniversary, he said the ceremony will start with the Special Juma’at Prayers which will hold on Friday, 23 May 2025 at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, while the Interdenominational Church Service will hold on Sunday, 25 May 25 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Navy Town, Lagos.

“Medical Rhapsodies and Naval Officers’ Wives Association Activities will be held simultaneously on Monday, 26 May 2025 in Nigerian Navy host communities across Commands,” he said.