The Nigerian Navy have said that it would induct three newly procured aircraft and three patrol vessels into their inventory as part of activities marking the service’s 69th Anniversary.
The aircraft—AgustaWestland 109 Trekker helicopters—will bring the total number of helicopters in the Nigerian Navy’s inventory to 14.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, said the acquisition of the aircraft is aimed at improving the service’s air operations exponentially.
‘In terms of fleet renewal, the Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of more platforms in support of our maritime security operations. Notable amongst these are three new patrol vessels and three newly acquired helicopters, which will be commissioned during the Navy Week’, he said.
‘Additionally, three more AgustaWestland 109 Trekker helicopters will be commissioned, bringing the total number of helicopters in the Nigerian Navy inventory to 14, thus improving our air operations exponentially’, Dewu added.
He explained that the new patrol vessels—NNS SHERE, NNS FARO, and NNS IKOGOSI—are each about 38 meters long and have an endurance of five days.
According to him, two of the vessels were acquired from Singapore and one from South Korea, adding that all three arrived in Nigeria in December 2024.
‘These vessels will serve as Seaward Defence Boats within Nigeria’s littorals up to the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone, and when necessary, go beyond in hot pursuit,” he said.
Dewu also revealed that the Navy had concluded plans to establish a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State.
‘The command will be situated on the North Bank of the River Benue and will complement the efforts of sister services and other security agencies to improve the security situation in the Middle Belt region’, he said.
Highlighting recent achievements, Dewu disclosed that in 2025, the Navy arrested 215 suspects, seized 26 vessels, and deactivated 468 illegal refinery sites.
He added that an estimated 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and seven million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were recovered and appropriately handled.
‘Furthermore, the Navy deactivated 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks used for illegal refining activities.
‘Since January 2025, the Navy has destroyed 103 illegal refinery sites and arrested 34 suspects linked to crude oil theft. It also seized 39 wooden boats and one ship involved in crude theft.
‘Meanwhile, 773,000 litres of crude oil and 150,000 litres of refined products have been recovered this year’.
