Follow Us on Google
By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining gains in the fight against piracy and maritime crimes, while seeking deeper collaboration with the media to strengthen public understanding of its operations.
Speaking during a visit to the Lagos Corporate Headquarters of The Sun Publishing Limited, publishers of the Sun titles, the new Director of Naval Information Navy Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho said Nigeria’s success in tackling piracy was largely driven by strategic investments, improved surveillance and enhanced response capacity of the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, sustained federal government investments in platforms and technology within the force have significantly transformed the Navy, leading to global recognition of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
He cited the January 2026 Global Firepower Report, which ranked Nigeria 22nd globally in naval strength with over 150 naval assets, making it the strongest fleet in Africa. He attributed the feat to deliberate modernisation efforts and the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The officer stressed that one of the major game changers in the anti-piracy war was the deployment of the Falcon Eye maritime domain awareness system. He described it as a cutting-edge surveillance infrastructure that has greatly enhanced the Navy’s ability to detect, track and respond swiftly to threats within Nigeria’s vast maritime environment.
“Our trinity of action is surveillance, response capability and maritime law enforcement,” he said, explaining that real-time intelligence from Falcon Eye enables naval vessels to conduct targeted patrols rather than random deployments at sea.
Other News
He noted that the improved surveillance and increased fleet capacity were instrumental in Nigeria’s exit from the piracy list of the International Maritime Bureau in 2022. Since then, he said, no piracy incident has been recorded in Nigerian waters.
Beyond anti-piracy operations, the Navy is also engaged in combating crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes, as well as supporting internal security operations across the country when required.
He emphasised that the Navy belongs to the Nigerian people and operates in their interest. “The ships are not personal property. They belong to Nigerians. We are only custodians,” he said.
The Navy also announced plans to mark its 70th anniversary this year, with activities including an international fleet review to be attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a ceremonial sunset, and the sixth Sea Power for Africa Symposium, which Nigeria will host. The symposium will focus on leveraging technology to enhance maritime security in Africa.
In their response, The Editor of the Daily Sun, Mr. Iheanacho Nwosu commended the Navy’s openness and pledged continued support, urging sustained engagement and transparency to build public trust.
Both sides agreed that closer cooperation between the Navy and the press remains vital to consolidating maritime security gains and projecting Nigeria’s naval achievements globally.
