By PHILIP NWOSU
The Nigerian Navy has announced that the 2025 edition of Exercise Obangame Express will focus on combating the smuggling of small arms and light weapons across the Gulf of Guinea—one of the region’s most persistent security threats.
The multinational maritime security operation, initiated by the U.S. Navy and coordinated through its Sixth Fleet, kicked off this week in Lagos. It brings together naval forces from West African countries and international partners, including Spain, to strengthen joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and operational synergy in maritime law enforcement.
Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, revealed that the Spanish Navy warship ESPS Relampago will join six Nigerian naval vessels, aircraft, and special operations units for the 2025 drills.
The flag off of the exercise was done onboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Kada.
Admiral Oamen said: “This year’s focus is on interdicting illicit arms trafficking, which has fueled insecurity across the subregion, The Gulf of Guinea has long been a corridor for illegal weapons, and through this exercise, we aim to deny criminals access to our waters.”
Each year, the exercise targets specific maritime threats. While previous editions addressed piracy, illegal fishing, and oil theft, the 2025 iteration zeroes in on small arms trafficking—identified as a driver of violence and insurgency across West Africa.
Rear Admiral Oamen also highlighted the progress Nigeria has made in recent years. In 2022, the country was removed from the global list of piracy-prone nations by the International Maritime Bureau—a development that helped restore international confidence in Nigerian waters.
“The removal of Nigeria from the piracy list marked a turning point. It improved shipping activity, reduced insurance premiums, and opened the door to more trade. This exercise builds on that success,” he said.
The Nigerian Navy is deploying six ships, two helicopters, domain awareness platforms, and elements of its elite Special Boat Service (SBS) for the operation.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, said Obangame Express 2025 will also feature narcotics interdiction operations, further reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to securing its maritime borders. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support and logistical backing of the Nigerian Navy.
“This exercise aligns with the President’s Blue Economy agenda by creating a safer maritime environment for commerce and investment,” Ogalla said.
The Navy further noted that past issues with coordination and communication among participating nations have largely been resolved. “Inter-agency and international communication has improved significantly,” Oamen added. “We’re now seeing the benefits of that in terms of increased maritime activity.”
Since its launch in 2010, Exercise Obangame Express has grown into one of the most significant maritime security drills in Africa, fostering cooperation between African, European, and American naval forces. The 2025 edition is expected to draw participation from across the Gulf of Guinea and beyond, underlining the strategic importance of protecting one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.