The Nigerian Navy has commenced the 2024 edition of Exercise Crocodile Lift, a collaborative effort with the French Navy, which has brought a Mistral-class amphibious warfare vessel to participate. The three-day exercise was officially launched by Rear Admiral Shehu Gombe, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Doctrine Command, at Naval Base Apapa.
Exercise Crocodile Lift follows closely on the heels of Exercise Grand African Nemo (4-12 December), which was also organized with significant input from the French Navy. Rear Admiral Gombe highlighted the different focuses of the exercises, stating, “While Ex Grand African Nemo primarily focused on Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations and legal resolutions, Crocodile Lift is designed to enhance amphibious warfare capabilities. This aligns with our vision of fostering a safe and secure region for shared prosperity and development.”
The exercise provides an invaluable platform for participating units, ships, and formations to achieve their objectives. Rear Admiral Gombe emphasized that the exercise also presents an opportunity for partners with a shared understanding of security objectives to deploy African-led solutions to transborder threats and enhance regional security.
He reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to combating maritime crimes, stating, “The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in the sustained fight against crude oil theft, piracy, illicit trafficking, and other maritime crimes, which is part of our policing role. Furthermore, being the nation’s maritime sentinel, we remain relentless in the task of fostering a safe and secure maritime environment that engenders a thriving blue economy for enhanced prosperity for all Nigerians.”
Rear Admiral Monday Oamen, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), stated that the objective of this year’s exercise is to create a safe and secure maritime domain through the simulation of amphibious operations aimed at safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea against piracy, sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other forms of criminality.
During this year’s exercise, the Nigerian Navy will conduct a combined amphibious operation in collaboration with the French Navy. The Nigerian Navy will deploy two ships (NNS Kada supported by DB Abuja), two Special Boat Service detachments, and two helicopters. The French Navy has also committed to the exercise with the participation of the Mistral-class amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier, Dixmude, which arrived in Lagos on 21 November.
Exercise Crocodile Lift 2024 represents a significant step in enhancing the amphibious warfare capabilities of the Nigerian Navy and strengthening international cooperation to secure the maritime domain of the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise underscores the commitment of both the Nigerian and French Navies to ensuring maritime security and stability in the region.