The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Musa Yusuf Garba, has reiterated the Command’s readiness to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in tackling maritime crime, during the flag-off ceremony of Exercise OBANGAME Express 2025.
Held aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship Kada on Friday, 9th May 2025, the flag-off event brought together top security chiefs, including the Chief of the Naval Staff, other service commanders, and a representative of the United States Embassy. The multinational naval exercise, hosted annually, aims to bolster cooperation, information sharing, and joint operational readiness among Gulf of Guinea nations and international maritime partners.
AIG Garba, representing the Nigeria Police Force at the high-profile event, affirmed that the Maritime Police Command remains committed to deepening its working relationship with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain. He described OBANGAME Express as a “timely and strategic intervention” that underscores the importance of synergy in addressing transnational maritime crimes.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Acting Fleet Commander, Western Fleet, Navy Captain LD Deyin, noted that the exercise targets key security challenges such as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, smuggling, and human trafficking. He revealed that the exercise will run from May 9 to May 13, 2025, covering a 20-30 nautical mile stretch south of the Lagos fairway buoy. The deployment includes six Nigerian Navy ships and one Spanish vessel, all assigned to designated zones of operation.
Activities during the exercise include communication drills, ship maneuvers, maritime interdiction, and inspection exercises aimed at countering smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MG Oamen, praised the growing impact of OBANGAME Express on regional maritime security. Oamen stressed that the exercise continues to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s operational readiness and promotes international cooperation for a safer Gulf of Guinea.
In a statement issued by the Maritime Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Adebayo Rasheed, the Command expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for the invitation and acknowledged the Navy’s leadership in fostering multilateral efforts to safeguard West African waters. AIG Garba reaffirmed that the Maritime Police Command remains firmly aligned with such strategic initiatives, emphasizing that partnership, not isolation, is key to maritime safety and national security.
