Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command Flags Off Exercise Omi Ailewu 2025 Onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Kada

Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command Flags Off Exercise Omi Ailewu 2025 Onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Kada

On Thursday, 27 November 2025, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (FOC WNC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha, officially flagged off Exercise OMI AILEWU 2025 onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA. The exercise is designed to combat major maritime security threats, including oil theft, illegal fishing, arms smuggling, human and drug trafficking, as well as attacks on critical national infrastructure within Nigeria’s Western maritime corridor.

In his overview, the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC), Captain LD Deyin, noted that Exercise OMI AILEWU 2025 is not merely a routine training drill but a strategic operation aligned with the mission of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (FOC WNC) which is to maintain an intelligence and technology driven naval presence capable of detecting, deterring, disrupting and denying criminal activities across the Command’s maritime Area of Responsibility. He further highlighted that the exercise would feature four Nigerian Navy ships (NNS IKOGOSI, NNS GURARA, NNS OLOIBIRI, and NNS MAMBILA), two helicopters, two tactical drones and elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service. The exercise will also test fleet manoeuvres, communication procedures, maritime interdiction drills and overall coordination at sea.

In his remarks, Rear Admiral Mustapha underscored the strategic importance of the maritime domain to Nigeria’s economy, national security and the growth of the emerging Blue Economy. While flagging off the Exercise, he reiterated that training remains the best welfare for personnel, in line with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, that the Nigerian Navy must train and operate seamlessly to guarantee safe waters for commerce and national economic development. He further urged participants to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, safety and teamwork, noting that lessons learned from the exercise will significantly enhance preparedness for real-world Operations. He expressed appreciation to invited guests and formally declared the Exercise open, wishing all participants a safe and successful Operation.