The newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, officially assumed duty on Thursday with a firm commitment to intensify the fight against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and other maritime crimes threatening Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking during the handing-over ceremony at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, Abbas, who becomes the 23rd Chief of Naval Staff, acknowledged that despite notable progress recorded in recent years, the country’s maritime environment remains vulnerable to criminal activities such as crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal fishing, and drug trafficking.
He said these crimes continue to undermine Nigeria’s economic stability, energy security, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
To address these challenges, Rear Admiral Abbas outlined his strategic priorities, which include:
Strengthening maritime security operations.
Enhancing fleet capability through aggressive fleet renewal and technological advancement.
Prioritising personnel training and welfare.
Deepening collaboration with other security agencies, as well as regional and international partners.
“I am not unaware that our maritime environment remains threatened by crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and drug trafficking,” Abbas said. “These crimes not only undermine our national economy and energy security but also threaten the livelihoods of our coastal communities and the economic stability of our dear nation.
“To confront these challenges decisively, my tenure will be guided by a clear and actionable strategic approach — strengthening maritime security, enhancing our fleet through aggressive renewal and technology, prioritising training and personnel welfare, and fostering inter-agency, regional and international collaboration.”
Expressing gratitude for his appointment, Abbas described his new role as an honour and promised to serve with integrity, dedication, and loyalty.
“It is with humility and gratitude to God that I stand before you today as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff. I am eternally grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for finding me worthy to lead the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
The Naval Chief also paid tribute to his predecessor, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Kechukwu Ogalla, whose “visionary leadership,” he noted, laid a solid foundation for the Navy’s continued growth.
Abbas urged officers and ratings to remain committed to the Navy’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork, assuring them that their welfare will remain a top priority.
“I promise to lead from the front and ensure that your welfare remains a top priority,” he said, reaffirming the Navy’s determination to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain and promote the growth of the blue economy.
In his valedictory speech, outgoing Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, highlighted the achievements recorded during his tenure, spanning two years and five months.
He noted that under his command, the Nigerian Navy made remarkable progress in maritime security, with Nigeria maintaining its delisting from the International Maritime Bureau’s Global Piracy Report since March 3, 2022.
Ogalla said the Navy intensified its fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering through “Operation Delta Sanity,” launched in January 2024 and later expanded as “Delta Sanity II” in December 2024.
“Since the launch of the operation, over 800 illegal refining sites and 5,515 storage facilities were deactivated, with over 240 suspects and 76 vessels arrested,” Ogalla stated.
He added that the Navy began fiscalisation duties at major oil and gas export terminals, in line with the Presidential Directive, to enhance transparency and boost production — which he said had reached its highest level in a decade.
Highlighting progress in fleet recapitalisation, Ogalla revealed that the Navy acquired two survey vessels, 57 riverine boats, seven fast patrol boats, six insurrection patrol crafts, three tugboats, and two capital ships.
Additionally, five transport helicopters, five logistics barges, and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles were procured, while the indigenous shipbuilding programme continued with the construction of Seaward Defence Boats 4 and 5 nearing completion at the Naval Dockyard.
