Nigerian Navy focuses Obangame express 2025 on arms smuggling

The Nigerian Navy has announced that the 2025 edition of the multinational maritime security exercise, Obangame Express, will prioritize combating the smuggling of small arms and light weapons in the Gulf of Guinea.

This persistent security threat will be the central focus of the operation, which kicked off this week in Lagos.

Coordinated by the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet, Exercise Obangame Express brings together naval forces from West African nations and international partners like Spain to enhance joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination in maritime law enforcement.

Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, revealed that the Spanish Navy warship ESPS Relampago will join six Nigerian naval vessels, aircraft, and Special Boat Service (SBS) units for the drills.

Rear Admiral Oamen highlighted that while previous editions of the exercise targeted piracy, illegal fishing, and oil theft, the 2025 iteration specifically addresses small arms trafficking, identified as a key driver of violence and insurgency in West Africa.

He also noted Nigeria’s progress in maritime security, including its removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone nations in 2022, which has boosted international confidence in Nigerian waters.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stated that Obangame Express 2025 will also include narcotics interdiction operations, further solidifying Nigeria’s commitment to securing its maritime borders.

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He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support of the Nigerian Navy, emphasizing the exercise’s alignment with the President’s Blue Economy agenda by fostering a safer maritime environment for commerce and investment.

The Navy also reported significant improvements in coordination and communication among participating nations.

Launched in 2010, Exercise Obangame Express has become a crucial maritime security drill in Africa, promoting cooperation between African, European, and American naval forces.

The 2025 edition is expected to see wide participation from the Gulf of Guinea and beyond, underscoring the strategic importance of safeguarding this vital global maritime trade route.