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By Philip Nwosu
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged officers and men of the newly created Nigerian Navy Marines to brace for difficult operational conditions as they deploy to various theatres across the country.
General Oluyede gave the charge at the graduation ceremony of the first set of Nigerian Navy Marines, describing the development as a strategic step in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime and littoral security architecture.
He commended the Nigerian Navy for its vigilance across Nigeria’s internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones and the Exclusive Economic Zone, noting that the service has continued to project itself as a maritime powerhouse within and beyond the nation’s waters.
The CDS observed that Nigeria faces a complex mix of traditional and asymmetric security challenges that have evolved over time.
He explained that the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Marines represents a timely and systematic evolution to bridge the gap between land and sea operations.
According to him, the current Navy leadership’s continuity of policies initiated by former Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has enabled the service to record notable successes in the maritime domain.
“With the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Marines, it is time to consolidate the gains achieved within the maritime domain,” he said.
General Oluyede urged the Marines to sustain collaboration with sister services, other security agencies, maritime stakeholders, civil authorities and local communities to enhance national security and public confidence.
“You have endured rigorous physical conditioning, mental resilience, and advanced tactical exercises aligned with Special Forces Tier 2 standards. However, bear in mind that the adversities you will face are adaptive and unconventional in character. Your mettle will be tested, and your resolve will be strained,” he stated.
Earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff formally announced the operationalisation of the Nigerian Navy Marines, describing it as a defining milestone in the evolution of the Navy’s special operations capability.
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The ceremony was attended by the United States Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, Keith Heffern, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Gbenga Daniels, senior military officers and international defence partners.
The Naval Chief explained that eight months ago, the Navy established a Special Operations Command to strengthen precision strike capability, strategic interdictions and counter-terrorism operations across land, maritime and littoral environments.
The Nigerian Navy Marines, he said, were conceived as a key component of the command to provide a highly trained, mobile and versatile force capable of securing riverine corridors and supporting inland missions linked to maritime theatres.
He noted that Nigeria’s security landscape remains volatile, with threats ranging from maritime crime and terrorism to banditry, kidnapping and violent extremism.
“The establishment of the Marines is a deliberate step towards enhancing our operational reach, flexibility and combat readiness across all maritime and littoral environments,” he said.
The Naval Chief added that synergy between the Nigerian Navy Marines and the Special Boat Service would provide the amphibious depth and precision required across the full spectrum of naval operations.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of the Armed Forces, and acknowledged the contributions of the Defence Ministry and the National Assembly Committees on Navy.
Special recognition was given to the immediate past Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, for pioneering the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Marines.
Addressing the graduating Marines, the Naval Chief charged them to uphold discipline, courage and loyalty, warning that tactical decisions taken in the field could carry strategic consequences for the nation.
The graduation ceremony marked a significant step in the Nigerian Navy’s efforts to strengthen maritime security and respond effectively to evolving national security challenges.
