The Nigerian Navy has once again demonstrated its operational resolve and strategic alignment with the Federal Government’s economic vision, declaring its readiness to “support Mr President’s aspiration of economic diversification through the blue economy” while safeguarding national critical assets across the nation’s maritime domain.
This firm commitment took centre stage yesterday at the Dangote Quays Free Zone Enterprise, Forward Operating Base (FOB) LEKKI Temporary Site, Ibeju-Lekki, where the Navy launched a high-impact military Exercise code-named “OMI AILEWU.” The Exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime security and protect vital economic infrastructure that drive Nigeria’s diversification agenda.
As part of activities lined up for Exercise OMI AILEWU (Calm Waters), the Nigerian Navy, working in close collaboration with the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, executed a high-intensity rescue mission simulation designed to test rapid-response capability in complex maritime threats. The operation drew solidarity support from personnel of Forward Operating LEKKI and Naval Base EPE.
Declaring the Exercise open on Thursday, 27 November 2025, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, stressed the Navy’s unbroken readiness posture to rid Nigerian waters of threats. He explained that the Exercise commenced with anti-smuggling and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing drills, emphasizing in an interview that his men are “battle-ready to safeguarding lives and properties.”
Rear Admiral Mustapha further noted that the Exercise was a direct implementation of the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, who ordered all ships to intensify operations against maritime criminality. According to him, “you cannot combat criminality without training and testing the proficiency of men and equipment.” He noted that Exercise “OMI AILEWU” was conceived to evaluate personnel response across multiple maritime contingencies, particularly “to protect critical national infrastructures.”
He revealed that intelligence reports had simulated a scenario where hoodlums, bandits or terrorists had taken over the facility, prompting a coordinated naval response. “Insert special forces on sea and air to clearly and surgically free them. You can see the precision, preemptiveness and the proficiency of the men,” he said, adding that such drills ensure confidence during real emergencies because “training is the best welfare you can give a military personnel.”
Underscoring the strategic significance of the Dangote facility, Admiral Mustapha stated: “This facility for instance is a national pride, our objective is to support Mr President’s aspiration of economic diversification and energy, food security through the blue economy.” He outlined his operational philosophy built on four pillars: “detection, disruption, denial and deterring of any activity in our waterways.”
He stressed the importance of interagency cooperation, affirming: “We cannot do this alone, we’re gonna hand over the case of narcotics to NDLEA and the case of this terrorist we hand it over to the appropriate authority.”
Rear Admiral Mustapha praised the role of local communities in providing actionable intelligence, noting that their contributions were central to the success of the operation. “The community is the Center of Gravity. If you have intelligence from the community you be able to address crimes,” he said. He further reiterated the Navy’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relations, quoting the Chief of Naval Staff’s stance that “we need the community and the community also needs us.”
He also acknowledged the critical role of the media, saying, “the media has a critical role to really play: encourage our heroes who are putting their lives in arms way in order to give us the freedom to do what we do.”
The scenario-based phase of Exercise OMI AILEWU simulated a combined air-and-sea assault to rescue kidnapped victims and recover hostages. The Exercise featured a surgical insertion of Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service operatives using both aerial and maritime approaches, an operation characterized by tact, precision, and speed, culminating in successful hostage recovery.
Designed to run for three days, the exercise targets enhanced efficiency in anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and naval rescue operations, reinforcing the Navy’s frontline role in national security and economic stability.
Senior officers present included Rear Admiral Dacosta (Rtd), Commander of the Naval Base EPE; Captain SO Ohunenese, Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base LEKKI; Commander BC Bulus; Capt. Rana; among others. The event was also attended by senior management staff of Dangote Petrochemicals, including Mr. Miguel and other top officials.
