The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has rejected calls to establish a separate coast guard, describing the move as unnecessary and counterproductive.
Speaking during his Senate screening, Abbas said the Nigerian Navy already performs the functions typically assigned to a coast guard.
“Creating another agency would only duplicate efforts. It’s better to channel those funds toward boosting naval operations,” he told lawmakers.
He revealed that the Navy recently set up a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State, to strengthen security along inland waterways connecting Benue and Lokoja.
Abbas also highlighted plans to integrate drones and artificial intelligence (AI) into naval operations to combat oil theft, piracy, and other maritime crimes.
According to him, using advanced technology will modernize surveillance, cut fuel costs, and enhance efficiency in difficult-to-access areas, especially in the Niger Delta and coastal regions.
“We will incorporate more technology, including drones, to tackle maritime crime. A lot of resources are currently wasted fueling boats to reach remote areas. Technology will help us respond faster and more effectively,” he said.
The naval chief explained that traditional fuel-heavy patrols will be complemented by digital and remote surveillance systems, creating a smarter and more cost-effective security framework.
He added that AI and drone monitoring would help detect illegal bunkering and other economic crimes, plugging financial leakages in the petroleum sector.
Responding to questions from Senator Olamilekan Solomon, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Abbas noted that most oil theft occurs in remote creeks and coastal areas.
While individual thefts may seem minor, their cumulative effect is significant. He also shared that the Navy has made progress curbing the use of offshore tankers for transporting stolen crude and is implementing digital vessel tracking systems.
On the military’s deradicalisation programme for repentant criminals, Abbas described it as commendable but emphasized that families of victims should be consulted before granting amnesty.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, a framework addressing all maritime security challenges, including piracy, oil theft, smuggling, and kidnapping.
“The challenges we face cannot be solved by the military alone. It requires a whole-of-society approach. We must synergise across the armed forces and with civil institutions to make Nigeria safer,” Abbas concluded.
