The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has launched Exercise OMI-AILEWU 2025 at NNS KADA, Apapa, an intensive maritime readiness operation aimed at strengthening security across Nigeria’s territorial waters and enhancing the nation’s capacity to leverage its blue economy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustafa, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, delivered his first major operational address since assuming office.
He described Nigeria’s maritime environment as “the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, the medium for global trade, and the first line of our national defence.”
He said that Nigeria’s 220-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone remains threatened by persistent criminal activities such as piracy, crude oil theft, unregulated fishing, maritime terrorism, pollution, arms smuggling, and trafficking.
He emphasized that the adversaries “are adaptive, ruthless, daring, and operate in the dark,” underscoring the Navy’s need to remain proactive rather than merely reactive.
“Over the next two days, the exercise will test officers and men on real-time maritime interdiction drills, anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics operations, boarding exercises, and protection of critical national infrastructure at sea,” he said.
The Command also noted that EX OMI-AILEWU serves as a preparatory phase ahead of the CNS annual sea inspection in two weeks, Nigeria’s highest-level naval evaluation exercise.
Mustafa further explained the meaning and relevance of the exercise:
“Omi Ailewu is a Yoruba phrase meaning calm or safe waters. The essence aligns with the President’s blue economy vision and strategy for economic diversification.”
He stated that the Navy has already begun related security efforts with Exercise Safe Ember, which deploys ships under enhanced surveillance to counter holiday-season maritime threats.
“The Navy is leveraging advanced monitoring technology, including onboard sensors and the Falcon Eye system, which allows officers to monitor and intercept suspicious vessels far beyond the ship’s visible horizon,” he said.
He added that Nigerians should expect safer waterways during the festive season.
“Our operations are designed to detect, deter, disrupt, and deny any criminal activity across our maritime domain,” he said.
