To strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Navy has joined forces with the French Navy and regional partners in a large-scale amphibious exercise codenamed Crocodile Lift.
Flagged off aboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Kada at the Apapa Naval Base on Wednesday, the three-day multinational operation involves over 700 personnel, including 650 from the French Navy, and more than six warships working jointly to counter sea robbery, oil theft, illegal fishing, and other maritime crimes.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, said the exercise is designed to enhance amphibious warfare capabilities, boost operational readiness, and deepen regional cooperation.
“It will assess the Navy’s capacity for amphibious landing operations and strengthen efforts to secure national resources and support government security initiatives,” he said.
The Nigerian Navy has deployed five warships, two helicopters, and Special Boat Service detachments for the exercise.
Ogalla noted that sustained operations and collaborations like Crocodile Lift have helped Nigeria maintain a zero-piracy record since being delisted from piracy-prone nations in 2022.
Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, described the exercise as vital for regional capacity building and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding maritime trade through both kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
French Commanding Officer Captain Arnaud Bolelli, who leads the landing helicopter dock Tonnerre with 650 personnel on a three-month deployment, said France’s participation reflects its strategic interest in freedom of navigation and maritime security.
“We aim to deepen interoperability between our forces and strengthen joint efforts to combat illegal maritime activities,” he stated.
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