The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, says the Nigerian Navy will intensify its fight against piracy, oil theft, and other maritime crimes through the deployment of advanced technology across the nation’s waterways.
Abbas made the commitment while speaking through the Commandant of the Naval War College, Calabar, Rear Admiral Muhammad Muye, during activities marking the Navy’s 70th anniversary.
He said the Navy is transitioning from traditional reactive patrols to intelligence-driven operations supported by modern surveillance systems designed to improve detection, tracking, and rapid response to criminal activity at sea.
According to him, the new approach will significantly reduce the activities of sea robbers and other criminal networks operating in Nigeria’s maritime domain, especially within the Gulf of Guinea, a region long affected by piracy and illegal oil-related operations.
The Naval Chief explained that the deployment of high-tech equipment will enable real-time monitoring of vessel movements and strengthen coordination among naval formations to secure the country’s economic waters.
He assured Nigerians that the Navy remains fully committed to making the nation’s waterways safe for trade, shipping, oil exploration, and fishing activities, stressing that sustained pressure will be maintained on criminal groups until maritime security is achieved.
The announcement was made after a special Juma’at prayer held at the Eastern Naval Command Central Mosque in Calabar, where naval personnel gathered to seek divine guidance and protection for ongoing security operations.
Also speaking, the Imam of the Eastern Naval Command Mosque, Navy Captain Muhammad Zakariyah, prayed for the protection of naval officers and civilians living within naval communities.
The Navy says the new technological push forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen maritime security and safeguard Nigeria’s economic interests at sea.
