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By Philip Nwosu
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has commended the Western Naval Command for its sustained efforts in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly in combating sea robbery, crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.
Babalola gave the commendation during a visit to the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos, where he emphasised the need for stronger inter-service collaboration and operational synergy among the armed forces.
The visit, forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy in addressing emerging security challenges within Lagos and adjoining areas.
General Babalola was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, alongside senior officers of the Command.
During the engagement, the Army General noted that the evolving security landscape requires closer coordination between the services, stressing that joint planning, intelligence sharing and unified operational strategies are essential to sustaining security gains.
Rear Admiral Mustapha expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Western Naval Command’s commitment to collaborative security operations with the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army.
He highlighted the importance of enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operations and improved coordination between the Army and Navy to effectively tackle security threats within Lagos and its surrounding operational environment.
Mustapha further noted that sustained cooperation among the services would strengthen efforts aimed at protecting critical national assets and ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s maritime and coastal communities.
The visit underscores the Armed Forces’ continued commitment to promoting unity of effort and strengthening joint operational capabilities in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and terrestrial domains.
Earlier, General Babalola, had emphasised the importance of institutional collaboration and operational synergy among security agencies in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Babalola made the call during familiarisation visits to key military formations at Bonny Cantonment in Lagos as part of strategic engagements within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The GOC had earlier held high-level interactions at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME), the Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), and the Directorate of Automated Data Processing (DADP).
At the NAEME Headquarters, Babalola was received by the Commander, Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Major General Adeyinka Adereti, who congratulated him on his appointment as the 26th General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division.
Adereti expressed confidence in Babalola’s leadership and assured him of the Corps’ support and institutional cooperation toward ensuring a successful tenure.
Responding, Babalola described the visit as both symbolic and strategic, stressing that effective command and operational success depend largely on unity of purpose, professional cooperation and shared commitment to mission objectives.
He commended the leadership of the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for its contributions to sustaining the operational readiness and technical efficiency of the Nigerian Army.
The GOC also expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded him and assured the Corps’ leadership of his commitment to strengthening collaboration in advancing the Division’s constitutional responsibilities.
In a similar engagement, Babalola paid a courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Admiral B.K. Effiong, where both senior officers underscored the need for sustained inter-service cooperation in improving operational effectiveness and joint mission outcomes.
At the Directorate of Automated Data Processing, the Director, Brigadier General V.E. Cletus, conducted the GOC round key facilities within the Directorate and highlighted its critical role in strengthening command, control, communications and information systems within the Nigerian Army.
Cletus noted that the Directorate’s automated platforms support decision-making processes and enhance operational coordination across various Army formations.
The familiarisation visits concluded with group photographs, symbolising unity of purpose, shared responsibility and a collective resolve to strengthen operational efficiency across formations within the 81 Division’s Area of Responsibility.
