The Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS) on Thursday, 29 January 2026, held the graduation ceremony of the British Defence Staff (BDS) Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Level 2 (VBSS-L2) Course at its Headquarters in Ojo, Lagos State.
The ceremony marked the successful completion of three weeks of intensive and specialised training conducted by instructors from the UK 42 Commando Royal Marines, with 20 NNSBS operators participating in the course. The training was designed to enhance advanced maritime interdiction capabilities, including tactical boarding operations, close-quarters combat, maritime search procedures, and mission planning in complex operational environment
In attendance were the United Kingdom Defence Attaché and Head of the British Defence Staff West Africa, Brigadier General Thomas Harper, alongside the Staff Officer Grade 2 Maritime, Lieutenant Commander Peter Fairbanks. Also present were the Commanding Officer NNSBS, Captain Andrew Zidon, senior naval officers, instructors, and other invited guests, underscoring the strong defence cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the United Kingdom.
As part of the course requirements, a Final Training Exercise (FTX) was conducted, during which the graduating operators planned and executed a simulated raid on a designated objective building at Ibeshe Beach.
The exercise involved capturing and securing the headquarters of a Violent Extremist Organisation (VEO) and was executed with a high level of professionalism, reflecting the enhanced operational competence and teamwork of the trainees.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates and awards to the graduating operators and members of the BDS training team. The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustained capacity building and strategic international partnerships aimed at strengthening maritime security and safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.
