The Nigerian Navy on Sunday launched Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2026, bringing together more than 30 nations in a coordinated push to strengthen maritime security and combat piracy, oil theft, and trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea.
The flag-off ceremony took place onboard NNS IKENNE and was conducted by Chief of Operations Rear Adm. Patrick Effah, representing Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Adm. Idi Abbas.
The five-day exercise, running April 26–30, is supported by the United States Africa Command and involves Nigerian Navy ships, aircraft, Special Boat Service units, and multiple national agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Nigeria Immigration Service.
Vice Adm. Abbas said the exercise is designed to improve regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and operational readiness through realistic drills.
“The essence of OBANGAME EXPRESS is to build trust, strengthen interoperability, and enhance our collective response to maritime threats,” he said.
He said participating forces will conduct counter-piracy operations, anti-trafficking missions, search and rescue drills, illegal fishing interdictions, and visit, board, search and seizure exercises.
Abbas noted that Nigeria’s improved maritime security posture, including its removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy-prone list in 2022, reflects sustained collaboration with regional and international partners.
He said the Gulf of Guinea remains critical to global trade and energy security, making maritime cooperation essential to regional stability.
The exercise coincides with the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, which Abbas described as a milestone in its efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain and contribute to regional peace.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to the armed forces and commended participating personnel for their professionalism and commitment.
