Navy vows sustained operations against sea piracy, oil theft
Port Harcourt, May 2026 (TBL Africa) The Nigerian Navy has pledged to intensify maritime security operations against sea piracy, crude oil theft and other maritime crimes to sustain safety within Nigeria’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
Rear Adm. Abdulrahman Mohammed, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS), made the remark on Friday during a Jumat prayer held to mark the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration in Onne, Rivers.
Mohammed said the commitment of the navy to maritime security operations had enabled Nigeria to record zero sea piracy attacks within its waters and the wider GoG for more than three years.
He attributed the achievement to collaborative efforts by the Nigerian Navy, other security agencies and maritime stakeholders.
“Through the efforts of the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders, Nigeria has curtailed piracy in Nigerian waters and the larger Gulf of Guinea.
”The absence of pirate attacks over the past three years demonstrates that the Navy’s security strategies are yielding positive results,” he said.
Mohammed described the Navy’s 70th anniversary as significant, noting that the service had consistently protected Nigeria’s territorial integrity and maritime environment since its establishment.
“For 70 years, the Nigerian Navy has protected Nigeria’s maritime domain against crimes and threats to territorial integrity,” he stated.
He said the anniversary offered an opportunity to celebrate the Navy’s achievements in safeguarding national security and supporting economic activities.
The commandant described the NNBTS as a critical institution responsible for training ratings who formed the backbone of naval operations nationwide.
Mohammed said the school served as the first point of contact for recruits who joined the Nigerian Navy.
He noted that many of the Navy’s successes over the decades were made possible by personnel trained at the institution.
“Personnel trained here are equipped with the military bearing and professional capacity to serve effectively in maritime security operations.
“The feats achieved by the Nigerian Navy over the years were made possible by products of this school,” he added.
Mohammed assured Nigerians that the Navy would intensify efforts to ensure a safer maritime environment for economic and commercial activities.
He also pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors by improving infrastructure and training capacity at the institution.
“Leadership is a continuum. I will build on the existing efforts and take the training school to the next level in the areas of infrastructure development and training capacity,” he said.
