The Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, has said the Nigerian Navy has continued to play a critical role in internal security, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency operations, and the protection of the nation’s economic assets across the country.
Vice Admiral Abbas stated this during an international press conference held on Thursday as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
He noted that the Navy, alongside sister services, has remained actively involved in several joint military operations aimed at tackling insecurity nationwide.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service has been instrumental in conducting strategic and daring raids that contributed significantly to operational successes recorded in various theatres of operation.
The Naval Chief also highlighted the Navy’s leading role in combating crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta in line with the Presidential Directive to increase Nigeria’s crude oil production to three million barrels per day by 2030, with an interim target of 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.
He explained that the operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and sister services, have yielded positive results in protecting critical oil infrastructure and boosting national production output.
Citing figures from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the CNS said Nigeria’s average crude oil production increased from 1.258 million barrels per day in January 2023 to a five-year high of 1.71 million barrels per day as of April 2026.
Vice Admiral Abbas further disclosed that ongoing fleet recapitalisation efforts by the Federal Government have significantly enhanced the Navy’s operational capabilities.
He added that the Global Firepower Report 2026 recently ranked the Nigerian Navy as the strongest naval fleet on the African continent.
“Indeed, the Nigerian Navy at 70 years has been a journey worth celebrating,” he said.
