Nigerian and French naval forces recently completed Exercise Crocodile Lift 2025, a multinational operation designed to strengthen maritime security and joint operational capacity in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise culminated in a full-scale amphibious assault simulation at Takwa Bay beachfront, testing the interoperability of the two nations’ assets against regional threats.
The core of the exercise was a complex scenario involving a fictional Pirate Action Group hijacking. The combined force was tasked with rescuing 16 kidnapped crew members and dismantling a simulated pirate camp.
France deployed its Mistral-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), Tonnerre (L9014), a 21,500-tonne amphibious assault ship that acts as a command center and power projection platform. The Tonnerre carries helicopters, landing craft, and an embarked force which included French Foreign Legion units.
The Nigerian Navy contributed five warships, including the NNS Kada, a Damen LST 100 (Landing Ship Tank) designed for amphibious beach landings, and the NNS Kano, an offshore patrol vessel. Air support was provided by two Nigerian Navy helicopters, while elite commandos from the Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service (SBS) led the assault. The simulation involved tactical beach landings, helicopter rappelling drills for troop insertion, hostage rescue, and medical evacuation procedures.
Nigerian Navy leadership affirmed the exercise’s value. Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), noted the operation was a success and effectively enhanced synergy between the participating forces. Representing the CNS at the flag-off, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere stated the exercise aimed to “assess the operational state and readiness of the Nigerian Navy Fleet” in conducting complex amphibious operations.
Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Officer Conducting the Exercise, added that the operation demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to regional cooperation. He reaffirmed the Navy’s resolve to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to deter maritime threats and protect legitimate commerce.
French commanders described the exercise as a vital component of a deep strategic partnership. Captain Arnaud Bolelli, Commanding Officer of the Tonnerre, confirmed that 650 French personnel from the navy and army participated. He explained the operation deepens military cooperation and aligns with France’s strategic interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and safeguarding its citizens in the region. This deployment is part of France’s long-standing Mission Corymbe, a near-permanent naval presence in the Gulf of Guinea.
The exercise provides a practical backdrop to recent security gains in the region. The CNS noted that the Nigerian Navy has “maintained zero piracy incidence till date,” a status supported by Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) list of piracy-prone countries in 2022. Navy leadership attributes this sharp decline in piracy to sustained naval presence, improved surveillance, and increased regional cooperation, which exercises like Crocodile Lift directly reinforce.