Nigerian Navy Flags Off Exercise Crocodile Lift 2025
On Wednesday, 8 October 2025, the Nigerian Navy flagged off Exercise CROCODILE LIFT 2025, a combined amphibious operation between the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the French Navy, onboard Nigerian Navy Ship KADA, Apapa, Lagos. The three-day maritime security operations exercise is designed to assess the capability of the NN to conduct amphibious operations and enhance maritime security within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Monday Kohwo Unurhiere, noted that the exercise underscores the NN’s continuous commitment to operational efficiency, international collaboration, and maritime safety. He disclosed that the NN would deploy five ships, two helicopters, and personnel of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service during the exercise. He further emphasised the importance of synergy with allied navies, particularly the French Navy, in addressing shared maritime security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
Also speaking, the Officer Conducting the Exercise (OCE) and Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mike Gregory Oamen, reaffirmed the NN’s preparedness and dedication to achieving the objectives of the exercise. He expressed optimism that Exercise CROCODILE LIFT 2025 would further consolidate operational ties between the NN and its French counterpart. He added that the exercise would also serve as a platform for honing tactical skills, improving interoperability, and reinforcing the NN’s capacity to respond effectively to emerging maritime threats.
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