In the early hours of Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a group of terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the Nigerian Navy Base at Lake Chad, located in Baga, Borno State. The attackers, targeting key military assets — including swamp buggies recently provided by the Borno State Government — were met with a swift and overwhelming response from naval personnel.
The attack was decisively repelled. Several of the terrorists were neutralised, while many others sustained injuries and fled. The swift and tactical response of the naval forces prevented any damage to critical equipment, and ensured the base remained fully operational.
In the days following the attempted assault, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, visited the Baga base to commend the troops for their courage and professionalism. He expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Nigerian Navy and reassured the officers and men of the government’s continued support.
Rather than weaken morale, the failed attack has further galvanized the Navy’s resolve. Vice Admiral Ogalla ordered the immediate deployment of additional personnel and resources to the Lake Chad base, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and territorial integrity.
He also directed that the swamp buggies — a key target of the attack — be immediately deployed for clearing operations along the waterways. These vehicles are designed to enhance mobility in swampy and difficult terrain, playing a vital role in anti-insurgency and reconnaissance missions around Lake Chad.
The incident underscores the Navy’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence across Nigeria’s inland and coastal waters. From the Lake Chad basin to the Niger and Benue Rivers, down to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Navy remains active and vigilant in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In support of these efforts, the Navy has recently enhanced its operational capacity with the acquisition of three new vessels — NNS SHERE, NNS FARO, and NNS IKOGOSI — along with three AgustaWestland 109 Trekker helicopters to improve maritime surveillance and rapid response capability.
Under Vice Admiral Ogalla’s leadership, the Navy is undergoing significant reforms. The creation of the Special Operations Command, headquartered in Makurdi on the banks of the River Benue, marks a major step in enhancing inland naval operations. The newly established Nigerian Navy Marine Corps, modeled after the U.S. Marine Corps, is set to provide amphibious and joint-force support in critical operations.
In addition, a new Special Operations Composite Base, designated Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) MADUEKE, is being established in Enugu to expand the Navy’s footprint in southeastern Nigeria.
These developments reflect the Navy’s long-term strategic vision to ensure maritime security across Nigeria and the West African sub-region. It’s also worth noting that since March 3, 2022, Nigeria has not recorded a single piracy incident in its waters — a feat that led to the country’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone nations.
The Nigerian Navy remains steadfast in its mission — protecting the nation’s waters, securing vital assets, and supporting national peace and stability in the face of evolving threats.
