The Nigerian Navy and the Portuguese Navy have commenced Exercise Coastal Grip II, a five day bilateral maritime security exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability and improving the capacity of both navies to respond to emerging threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
The exercise, which was formally flagged off on August 28, 2026, by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha is scheduled to end today, September 1.
The exercise brings together Nigerian and Portuguese naval personnel alongside other maritime security stakeholders in a coordinated effort to enhance operational readiness, maritime surveillance and joint response capabilities.
In his address at the flag off ceremony, the FOC, representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the exercise reflected the strong partnership between Nigeria and Portugal and their shared commitment to securing the maritime domain.
He said the exercise was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s hold over its coastal waters and create a safer environment for legitimate economic activities, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.
The FOC explained that the choice of the name Coastal Grip was deliberate, reflecting the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to maintain effective control of the nation’s coastal domain and counter threats capable of undermining maritime security.
He said the exercise formed part of the implementation of Nigeria’s higher defence and economic naval strategies and was aligned with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directive 2026 7.
The exercise also supports the Nigerian Navy’s Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, which recognises that contemporary maritime security challenges extend beyond national borders and require coordinated international responses.
The FOC identified sea robbery, crude oil theft, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, human trafficking, arms trafficking and illicit drug movements as threats requiring sustained cooperation among maritime forces.
He said the Nigerian Navy had continued to prioritise international partnerships as part of efforts to strengthen maritime security in Nigerian waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
According to him, Nigeria’s participation in multinational maritime exercises, including Exercise Obangame Express with the United States Navy and Exercise Grand African NEMO with the French Navy, had contributed to improved interoperability and operational capacity.
He added that joint patrols and port engagements under the European Union’s Coordinated Maritime Presence initiative had also strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and international maritime partners.
Coastal Grip II builds on the gains recorded during Coastal Grip I, which was conducted in partnership with the Spanish Navy, while introducing a new dimension through collaboration with Portugal.
The current exercise is being conducted under the European Union’s Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security project, known as SWAIMS, which is implemented by the Portuguese government.
The FOC commended Portugal for its growing support to Nigeria’s maritime security efforts, particularly the donation of two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats to the Nigerian Navy in July.
He also acknowledged the training and equipping of 28 Nigerian Navy Special Forces personnel by the Portuguese government, describing the support as a practical contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime response capability.
The newly acquired boats and the specialised training are being deployed during the exercise to test their operational value in high speed interception and special operations.
The exercise features elements of the Special Boat Service and the Mission Control Centre of the Western Naval Command operating alongside the Portuguese Navy frigate, NRP Álvares Cabral.
The exercise serials include maritime interdiction operations, air interdiction, air and sea coordination, communication drills, ship manoeuvres and mission planning.
The FOC said the activities were designed to strengthen tactics, techniques and procedures while enabling both navies to identify areas requiring further improvement in joint operations.
He said the exercise would also enhance the ability of participating forces to detect, track and respond to maritime threats through coordinated deployment of air, surface and special forces assets.
Beyond Coastal Grip II, the Western Naval Command has continued to deepen collaboration with civilian maritime agencies in tackling illegal fishing and other threats to Nigeria’s blue economy.
The command recently conducted an intelligence led operation in collaboration with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, deploying maritime domain awareness assets, drones, ships, helicopters and Special Forces personnel.
The operation resulted in the interception of three vessels of interest and the arrest of 30 crew members comprising 28 Nigerians, two Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals, with the authorities stressing that the appropriate legal process would follow.
The FOC said the collaboration between the Navy’s maritime security capabilities and the fisheries authorities’ regulatory expertise would be sustained, stressing that continued joint operations were necessary to curb illegal fishing, strengthen food security and support the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
Meanwhile, the Western Naval Command has also used maritime interdiction simulations to test its readiness against drug trafficking, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes. One such drill involved the simulated interception of a vessel carrying 18 crew members and suspected illicit cargo, with four naval ships, four helicopters, boats and Special Forces participating.
The exercise also tested communication between air and surface platforms and strengthened inter agency cooperation involving the Nigerian Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, fisheries authorities, NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The FOC urged personnel participating in Coastal Grip II to maintain professionalism, discipline and strict adherence to safety procedures, noting that the lessons learned would contribute to future operational effectiveness. He expressed appreciation to the Portuguese Navy, the European Union and other stakeholders for their support, declaring that the exercise further demonstrated the enduring friendship and security cooperation between Nigeria and Portugal.