Serial | Operation | Date | Ship/Asset |
---|---|---|---|
1 | EX. OBANGAME EXPRESS | 23 28 JAN – 3 FEB 23 | NNS KADA, NNS CENTNARY, NNS SOKOTO, NNS KANO, NNS EKULU, NNS THUNDER, NNS IKENNE, NNS ABA AND US COAST GUARD SPENCER (USCGS). |
2 | EX. NEMO 23.2 | 5 – 7 MAR 23 | NNS IKENNE, NNS ABA, NNS EKULU, ITALIAN NAVY SHIP NAVE FOSCARI AND FRENCH NAVY SHIP PREMIERE MAITRES L’ HER |
NIGERIAN NAVY OPERATIONS AND EXERCISES 2022
SERIAL | OPERATION/EXERCISES | DATE | SHIPS/ASSETS INVOLVED |
---|---|---|---|
1 | PASSEX with HMCS GOOSE BAY, MONCTON PAY | 25-28 FEB 22 | NNS BENIN, EKULU, KYANWA ,NGURU, NWAMBA, ABA, IKENNE, LANA AND NNS KANO |
2 | EX OBANGAME EXPRESS | 3 – 18 MAR 22 | NNS GONGOLA, KYANWA, OBULA, OKPOKU, OSUN, SAGBAMA and NNS THUNDER. |
3 | EX THUNDER STRIKE | DEC 21 – JUN 22 | JOINT OPERATION |
4 | OP DAKATAR DA BARAWO | 1 APR 22 | NNS IKENNE, ABA, THUNDER, KYANWA, EKULU, GONGOLA, DORINA, SAGBAMA, BADAGRY, OKPABANA AND NNS OKPOKU. |
5 | OP OCTOPUS GRIP | 22 APR 22 | JOINT OPERATION |
6 | EX EDI-DIANNA | 30 MAY 22 | NNS EKULU, THUNDER, KYANWA, OKPABANA, PROSPERITY,IKENNE, ABA, GNS ANKOBRA AND CNS DIPIKAR |
7 | PORT CALL JOINT HYDRO TRAINING | 2 – 5 MAY 22 | FHS BORDA AND NNS LANA |
8 | EX IRON WATER | 23 JUL 22 | NNS KANO, SOKOTO, NGURU, OSUN, IKOT – ABASI AND NNS PROSPERITY |
9 | PASSEX NICK NAMED EX ALLIED ATLANTIC with USCG CUTTER CG MOHAWK) | 18 - 21 AUG 22 | NNS SOKOTO, NGURU, OSUN, IKOT – ABASI AND NNS PROSPERITY |
10 | PASSEX EX WITH INDIAN NAVY SHIP TARKASH ( INS TARKASH) | 12 - 14 SEP 22 | NNS SOKOTO, NGURU AND NNS KANO |
11 | FRENCH NAVY SHIP GERMINAL | 20 – 24 SEP 22 | EX. AFRICAN NEMO |
12 | EX GRAND AFRICAN NEMO | 12 OCT 22 | NNS KANO, NGURU, SOKOTO AND NNS CENTENARY, 2 X NN HEL, 2 X NNSBS ELM ITS ANTONIO MARCEGLIA, FS GERMINAL, SPS RELAMPAGO. |
13 | OP GBA PADA | 5 – 13 NOV 22 | NNS OJI AND NNS IKENNE |
14 | PASSEX EX | 06 – 12 NOV 22 | NNS SOKOTO, NNS KANO AND SPANISH WARSHIP BAM RELAMPAGO |
15 | EX CROCODILE LIFT | 14 NOV 22 | NNS KADA AND FRENCH NAVY LHD TONNERRE |
EX SMOOTH WATER | 21 - 23 NOV 22 | NNS CENTENARY, NGURU, SOKOTO, KANO AND NNS OSUN. |
NIGERIAN NAVY OPERATIONS AND EXERCISES 2021
Serial | Operation/Exercises | Date | Ships/Assets Involved |
---|---|---|---|
1 | EX SECURED WATERS | 15 – 17 FEB 21 | NNS THUNDER, OKPABANA, KYANWA, OBULA, NWAMBA, ZARIA, SAGBAMA, ANDONI, BADAGRY, GONGOLA and NNS OKPOKU. |
2 | EX AMI JIJI | 9 – 12 MAR 21 | NNS SAGBAMA, BADAGRY, ZARIA, BADAGRY, NWAMBA,NNS OKPOKU and 372 NAF. |
3 | EX OBANGAME EXPERSS 2021 | 20 – 25 MAR 21 | NNS OSE, NGURU, EKUL and NNS PROSPERITY. |
4 | PASSEX with FRENCH WARSHIP COMMANDANT BOUAN | 24 JUN 21 | NNS OSE, NGURU, OSUN and NNS PROSPERITY |
5 | BENI - KEKERE | 26 – 28 JUL 21 | NNS THUNDER, OKPABANA, KYANWA, OBULA, NWAMBA, SAGBAMA, BADAGRY and NNS OKPOKU. |
6 | PASSEX with USS HERSHELL WOODY WILLAMS ESB 4 and SPANISH WARSHIP MV VIGIA | 7 – 12 AUG 21 | NNS PROSPERITY, OSUN,OSE AND NNS NGURU |
7 | PASSEX with BRAZILIAN FRIGATE INDEPENDECIA F(44) | 1 - 4 SEP 21 | NNS EKULU, NNS BEECROFT EPENAL GUNBOATS. |
8 | PASSEX with HMS TRENT | 23, 29 - 30 OCT 21 | NNS OSE, ABA, OSUN, EKULU, DB LAGOS, DB ABUJA, 2 X Interceptor Boats and 8 x MSU Pers. |
9 | EX GRAND AFRICAN NEMO | 02 – 07 NOV 21 | NNS PROSPERITY, OKPABANA, OSUN, EKULU, OSE, NWAMBA, NGURU and NNS ABA. |
10 | EX OMI MIMO | 10 NOV 21 | NNS PROSPERITY, OKPABANA, OSUN, EKULU, OSE, NWAMBA, NGURU and NNS ABA. |
11 | EX SAFE DOMAIN | 22 NOV 21 | NNS NGURU |
12 | EX QUIET WATERS | 12-14 DEC 21 | NNS OKPABANA, NWAMBA, KYANWA, OBULA, SAGBAMA, EKULU, NGURU GONGOLA, THUNDER, and NNS DORINA |
13 | PASSEX with PAKISTANI Navy warship (ALAMGIR) | 16 – 17 DEC 21 | NNS OSE, ABA, OSUN, OSUN,DB ABUJA, IKENNE and KANO, |
14 | PASSEX with HMCS GOOSE BAY, MONCTON PAY | 25-28 FEB 22 | NNS BENEIN, EKULU, KYANWA ,NGURU, NWAMBA, ABA, IKENNE, LANA AND NNS KANO |
15 | EX OBANGAME EXPRESS | 3 – 18 MAR 22 | NNS GONGOLA, KYANWA, OBULA, OKPOKU, OSUN, SAGBAMA and NNS THUNDER. |
LIST OF EXERCISES CONDUCTED BY THE NIGERIAN NAVY BETWEEN 2015 TO AUGUST 2020
Serial | Exercise | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | OBANGAME EXPRESS | 15 -23 APRIL 2015 |
2 | EXERCISE NEMO | 26 -30 MAY 2015 |
3 | SAUKAN MIKIYA | 3 -4 SEPTEMBER 2015 |
4 | EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS | 18- 22 MARCH 2016 |
5 | EXERCISE TSARE TEKU I | 15 APRIL - 15 JULY 2016 |
6 | EXERCISE OPIA TOHA | 23 - 27 MAY 2016 |
7 | EXERCISE NEMO | 13 – 17 JUNE 2016 |
8 | EXERCISE TSARE TEKU II | 16 JULY 2016 – 20 OCTOBER 2016 |
9 | EXERCISE NEMO | 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 |
10 | EXERCISE TSARE TEKU III | 20 OCTOBER 2016 – TILL DATE |
11 | EXERCISE SHARK BITE | 3 NOVEMBER 2016 |
12 | EXERCISE EAGLE EYE | 01 DECEMBER 2016 |
13 | NN LED PC4 SIMULATION EXERCISE | 24-25 JANUARY 2017 |
14 | EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS | 22-31 MARCH 2017 |
15 | EXERCISE NEMO 17.6 | 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 |
16 | EXERCISE POUNCER | 17 – 20 OCTOBER 2017 |
17 | EXERCISE EAGLE EYE II | |
18 | EXERCISE OBAGAME EXPRESS 2018 | 21-28 MARCH 2018 |
19 | EXERCISE EKUKUGBE | 28 – 31 MAY 2018 |
20 | EXERCISE ANIOFORIFORI | 20 – 22 NOVEMBER 2018 |
21 | EXERCISE TORU GBOUN | 28 – 30 NOVEMBER 2018 |
22 | EXERCISE AMUM BUNENG | NOVEMBER 2018 |
23 | EXERCISE GRAND NEMO | 3 – 10 NOVEMBER 2018 |
24 | EXERCISE NEMO | 14 JANUARY 2019 |
25 | EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS | 15 – 22 MARCH 2019 |
26 | SEA EXERCISE DOUFIYAYAI KEKERE | 09 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2019 |
27 | EXERCISE YANGHA MI | 03 -09 SEPTEMBER 2019 |
28 | EXERCISE ATEGUN ALAFIA | 29 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER 2019 |
29 | EXERCISE GRAND AFRICAN NEMO | 28 OCTOBER – 5 NOVEMBER 2019 |
30 | EXERCISE TREASURE GUARD II | 21 – 24 MARCH 2020 |
31 | EXERCISE AWKWARD | 25 - 28 AUGUST 2020 |
32 | EXERCISE SANGA SUNG | 22 - 24 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
33 | EXERCISE AKERE | 23 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
34 | EXERCISE GRAND AFRICAN NEMO | 07 OCTOBER 2020 |
35 | EXERCISE SHARK SHIVER | 23 – 26 NOVEMBER 2020 |
36 | EXERCISE STILL WATERS | 14 - 17 DECEMBER 2020 |
37 | EXERCISE SECURED WATERS | 15 - 17 FEBRUARY 2021 |
38 | EXERCISE AMI JIJI | 09 - 12 MARCH 2021 |
39 | EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS 2021 | 20 - 25 MARCH 2021 |
40 | PASSAGEX EX WITH FRENCH WARSHIP COMMANDANT BOUAN | 24 JUNE 2021 |
41 | EXERCISE BENI - KEKERE | 26 - 28 JULY 2021 |
EXERCISE TREASURE GUARD II (WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND) 21-24 MARCH 2020
2014 NIGERIAN NAVY SMALL ARMS FIRING COMPETITION
The 2014 Nigerian Navy Small Arms Firing Competition took place at the 72 Special Forces Range, Makurdi Benue State on 14 – 17 October 2014. The event was participated by 6 commands including, Naval Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, Central Naval Command, Naval Training Command and Logistics Command.
The Competition involved the use of 4 main weapons of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Sub-Machine Gun (SMG), Rifle (AK-47 for standardization) and Pistol in the Nigerian Navy inventory. At the end of the Competition, Naval Headquarters emerged Best Overall in all events while Logistics Command took the last position. Trophies and medals were awarded for Individual and Team events.
Present at the occasion were; The Governor of Benue State, his Deputy, Service Chiefs, Principal Staff Officers – NHQ, Flag Officers Commanding, Unit Commanders and Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command. Others include; Senior serving and retired senior officers, representatives of the Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Defence, the Inspector General of Police, Tor Tiv, Ochi Idoma and the Chairman Makurdi Local Government Area and a host of others
EXERCISE FARAUTA
The 2014 Nigerian Navy Small Arms Firing Competition took place at the 72 Special Forces Range, Makurdi Benue State on 14 – 17 October 2014. The event was participated by 6 commands including, Naval Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, Central Naval Command, Naval Training Command and Logistics Command.
TA major fleet evaluation exercise code-named Exercise Farauta, a Hausa word for hunting. This Exercise which lasted from 11 – 17 November 2012, is a quest in pursuance of the mandate of the president of Nigeria, to stamp out acts of illegality in the nation’s maritime domain.
The aim of the exercise was to intensify the ongoing naval operations in the Niger Delta region and pay emphasis on Bonny-Akassa-Escravos axis, an area which was notorious for crude oil theft. “The exercise enabled the NN to assess its operational capability with a view to identifying gaps and taking necessary measures to fill such gaps for enhanced operational readiness. The synergy of this effort ensured full mission accomplishment across the threat spectrum with specific emphasis to immediately end all criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.”
A total of eight ships, six gunboats and three helicopters including elements of the Nigerian Army and Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force took part in the exercise.
Speaking on the role of the Nigerian Army (NA) in the exercise, the Commander, 2 Brigade Port Harcourt, Brig-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said they were geared to launch assault against any acts of illegality. He said: “We are on board the ship as standby troops in case of any emergency. Per adventure we are required to, we will assault any illegal refinery or any criminal hideout discovered during the operation.” Also, the Command Operations Officer, Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, Air Commodore Joseph Adeleke, said the responsibility of NAF was purely surveillance-inclined. He said: “Our job is to carry out surveillance and give the navy feedback. We give them grid reference on the location of ships and then they will deploy their ships to that particular location.”
The ships involved were Nigerian Naval Ships (NNS) THUNDER, ZARIA, ANDONI, MAKURDI, BURUTU, OBULA, NWAMBA and KYANWA. Others are six gunboats, Augusta Helicopter 07, Augusta Helicopter 08, Augusta 08 and one Nigerian Air Force Maritime Patrol aircraft.
The Western Naval Command and Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy also conducted similar Exercises code-named EXERCISE ICHUNTA and EXERCISE NDIKARA respectively as a follow up to EXERCISE FARAUTA.
EXERCISE ICHUNTA
The Western Naval Command has successfully conducted Exercise ICHUNTA as a follow up to the recently conducted Exercise FARAUTA which lasted from 11 – 17 November 2012. The Exercise, aptly tagged “ICHUNTA” which is an Igbo word for hunting, was conducted between 16-18 December 2012, to further complement the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in providing adequate coverage of Nigeria’s maritime environment. The Exercise is also part of the Western Naval Command’s strategic contributions towards achieving the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff to ensure safety of the nation’s territorial waters.
The three day exercise was led by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda who was onboard NNS NWAMBA. Several evolutions such as fire fighting, flood control, man ove-board, boarding party amongst others, were carried out in the course of the Exercise. Participating ships also carried out various formations, manoeuvres and individual patrols.
Speaking with pressmen who were onboard for Exercise ICHUNTA, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda stressed that constant presence at sea remains the most effective deterrent to criminally minded people. He added that; “It is certain that when they know we are out on patrol, they will keep off”. The Flag Officer Commanding further emphasised the need for Nigerian Navy to have the right platforms and required logistic support to constantly carry out patrol duties. Rear Admiral Ikioda expressed dedication towards ensuring effective policing of the Western Naval Command’s area of responsibility in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s transformation agenda.
At the end of Exercise ICHUNTA, the Flag Officer commended all participants and observers for a job well done. He thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff for providing logistics support required for successful conduct of the Exercise and promised that all observations made during Exercise ICHUNTA would be addressed in subsequent Exercises.
EXERCISE NDIKARA
The Nigerian Navy intensified effort to rid the country of the various illegalities in the Nigerian maritime environment. Speaking to reporters in Onne on conclusion of the Eastern Naval Command Sea Exercise named NDIKARA, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, said that, the three day exercise which started on 14 December 2012 involved three ships, sixteen gunboats and one helicopter. He said that the objective of Exercise NDIKARA, which means “to dominate” in the Efik language, is to sustain the tempo achieved in the just concluded Chief of Naval Staff Fleet Evaluation Exercise which was held from 11 – 17 November, 2012. He said that the Exercise was aimed at increasing naval presence at sea in order to curb the activities of crude oil thieves, illegal bunkers, pirates and sea robbers. The Flag Officer Commanding added that the Exercise had further enabled him to evaluate the capabilities of participating ships, gunboats and helicopters as well as to sharpen the professional skills of his officers and ratings.
Admiral Ogunjimi commended the conduct of the officers and men that took part in the Exercise, which he described as a huge success. According to him, several vessels were interrogated in the course of the Exercise, thus sending clear messages to would be criminal elements that the Nigerian Navy is ready to check and curb their criminal activities.
Addressing the officers and men that took part in the Exercise, Admiral Ogunjimi commended them for displaying high professional conduct, noting that, most of the lapses observed during the Fleet Evaluation Exercise in November have been corrected in Exercise NDIKARA. He therefore advocated for the sustenance of the standard achieved. The Flag Officer Commanding reminded them that the Nigerian Navy always rewards professional competence and frowns at mediocre performance.
Some of the ships which took part in the Exercise included NNS THUNDER, NNS KYANWA and NNS BURUTU. During the Exercise, the ships patrolled from Calabar River in Cross River State to ten nautical miles off the Bonga Oil Field. The Exercise equally covered the numerous creeks and river estuaries in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. Admiral Ogunjimi was onboard Nigerian Navy’s newly acquired Offshore Patrol Vessel, NNS THUNDER to supervise the conduct of the Exercise. According to him, other operational Commands of the Nigerian Navy will be conducting similar exercises subsequently. All the ships, gunboats and helicopter that participated in the Exercise have since safely returned to their respective bases.