Nigerian Navy Reaffirms Support for President’s Blue Economy Agenda with OMI AILEWU Drill

Nigerian Navy Reaffirms Support for President’s Blue Economy Agenda with OMI AILEWU Drill

The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to strengthening maritime security and supporting the Federal Government’s economic diversification drive through the blue economy. This assurance came during the launch of Exercise OMI AILEWU (Calm Waters), a high-impact military simulation conducted on Thursday at the Dangote Quays Free Zone Enterprise, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lekki temporary site, Ibeju-Lekki.

The operation, designed to enhance rapid-response capability against complex maritime threats, formed part of broader efforts to protect critical national assets, especially those linked to Nigeria’s emerging economic sectors. The drill was executed in collaboration with the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, and supported by personnel from Forward Operating Base Epe.

Declaring the exercise open on 27 November 2025, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, emphasized that the Navy’s readiness posture remains unwavering. He disclosed that the exercise began with anti-smuggling and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing drills, noting that the command is “battle-ready to safeguard lives and property.”

According to Rear Admiral Mustapha, Exercise OMI AILEWU is a direct implementation of the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive to intensify operations against maritime criminality. “You cannot combat criminality without training and testing the proficiency of men and equipment,” he said, explaining that the drills are meant to assess personnel response to multiple maritime contingencies and protect critical national infrastructure.

The scenario-based simulation involved a coordinated air-and-sea assault to recover hostages. Intelligence reports had created a mock situation where terrorists or criminal gangs seized control of parts of the facility. Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service operatives were then inserted using air and maritime platforms in a tactical rescue, demonstrating precision, speed, and operational synchronization. “Training is the best welfare you can give a military personnel,” Mustapha added, stressing that drills build confidence ahead of real emergencies.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Dangote Refinery to the nation’s economy, the FOC said: “This facility is a national pride. Our objective is to support Mr President’s aspiration of economic diversification and energy and food security through the blue economy.” He outlined his command’s operational philosophy anchored on four pillars: detection, disruption, denial, and deterrence of illegal activities across Nigeria’s waterways.

Rear Admiral Mustapha also underscored the significance of interagency collaboration and community intelligence. He explained that cases involving narcotics and terrorism would be handed over to NDLEA and relevant authorities, respectively. “The community is the center of gravity. If you have intelligence from the community, you can address crimes,” he said, affirming that civil-military relations remain crucial to operational success.

He further acknowledged the media’s role in sustaining morale within the armed forces. “The media has a critical role to play: encourage our heroes who put their lives in harm’s way to give us the freedom to do what we do,” he noted.

Exercise OMI AILEWU is scheduled to run for three days, focusing on anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and naval rescue missions. The initiative reinforces the Navy’s frontline role in maritime security and protection of national economic assets.

Present at the event were senior officers, including Rear Admiral Dacosta (Rtd), Commander of FOB Epe; Captain S.O. Ohunenese, Commanding Officer FOB Lekki; Commander B.C. Bulus, and other naval personnel. Senior management staff of Dangote Petrochemicals, including Capt. Rana and Mr. Miguel, were also in attendance.