The Nigerian Navy has successfully concluded the 2024 edition of Exercise Grand African Nemo, a key maritime security operation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and combating transnational maritime crimes across the Gulf of Guinea. Held from November 4 to 11, the exercise brought together 26 countries from the region, as well as international partners from Europe and the Americas, including the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Lyme Bay and Spain’s BAM Meteor.

The exercise, which took place in two phases—national and zonal—saw the participation of Nigerian Navy ships, such as NNS KADA, NNS ABA, NNS CHALAWA, and NNS NGURU, along with various naval units and international partners. The primary objective was to develop African-led solutions to maritime threats, promoting a secure environment for regional prosperity and development.

The exercise featured several critical scenarios to address pressing maritime challenges, including Anti-Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (Anti-IUUF), Anti-Crude Oil Theft (Anti-COT), Illicit Trafficking, and a Hot Pursuit phase. In the Anti-IUUF scenario, NNS KADA, NNS NGURU, and the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS) worked together to conduct simultaneous Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations. They intercepted the rogue vessel FV OGAR, where they discovered small arms and light weapons on board. The crew was arrested for illegal activities. In the Anti-COT scenario, NNS KADA and RFA Lyme Bay identified rogue vessels MT WAHAB and MT SALOME. Through VBSS operations, Nigerian Navy personnel arrested the crews and confiscated evidence of their crude oil theft activities. In the Anti-Illicit Trafficking scenario, the Spanish ship BAM METEORO and Nigerian Navy ships NNS NGURU and NNS CHALAWA intercepted MT OYEWALE, which was found to be carrying narcotics. The illicit goods were seized, and a Maritime Crime Investigation Desk team conducted forensic analysis to confirm the drugs. Finally, in the Hot Pursuit phase, Spanish ship BAM METEORO was hijacked by pirates in Togolese waters. Nigerian Navy vessels, including Deep Blue (Ship) ABUJA, joined the operation to intercept and arrest the pirates, successfully securing the vessel.

The exercise concluded with traditional naval fleet manoeuvres involving Nigerian Navy ships NNS KADA, NNS NGURU, and NNS CHALAWA, alongside BAM METEORO. Five successful manoeuvres were carried out, symbolizing the operational competence and readiness of the participating naval forces.

Rear Admiral Michael Gregory Oamen, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, emphasized the success of the exercise, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in ensuring the security of the Gulf of Guinea. “Our personnel have once again demonstrated the capacity to ensure the safety of our maritime space, and we remain committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s waters remain secure for economic activities,” Oamen said. He further reassured the public of the Navy’s zero tolerance for maritime criminals, noting that one arrest was made during the exercise and that the Nigerian Navy is always prepared to safeguard the nation’s waters. “The message is clear to those involved in illegal activities at sea: find another business. The Nigerian Navy, in partnership with our international allies, is ready to dominate our waters,” Oamen concluded.