The Chief of Naval staff (CNS), Vice Admiral ldi Abbas, has commended officers of the Nigerian Navy for the success recorded during Exercise Obangame Express 2026 held in Onne, Rivers state over the weekend.
Thye CNS who was represented by the Chief of Operations Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Real Admiral Patrick Effah, said the Nigerian Navy is committed to the responsibility of providing a secure maritime environment for enhancement of trade and commerce in the country.
“We did not just exercise alone, we exercise with partners; Navy friends from the Gulf of Guinea.
“So, the importance of this exercise is to show our potential, showcase our fleets and by extension further give confident to seafarers that we are here to protect them, we’re here to ensure that the channel of communication is left open – that they can go about their business without any fear, without any form of intimidation.
“We’re out there, we’re watching out for the criminals”, he stated.
According to him, Exercise Obangame Express has significantly contributed to improving diplomatic relations and strengthening Naval partnership across the region and beyond, adding that it is also reinforcing collective security architecture within the Gulf of Guinea.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Real Admiral CD Okehie, described Exercise Obangame Express 2026 as a major annual multinational maritime security exercise conducted across West and Central Africa under the sponsorship of the United States of Africa.
Real Admiral Okehie said the exercise is strategically designed to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance maritime domains awareness, and improve interdiction capability among participating nations.
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