The Nigerian Navy has said that sustained operations across the nation’s waterways have significantly reduced piracy, crude oil theft and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

Navy’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Olatunde Olodude, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, while briefing journalists ahead of activities marking the Navy’s 70th anniversary.

He said the Navy has evolved from eleven inherited boats at independence into one of Africa’s leading naval forces, with intensified operations improving security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Rear Admiral Olodude said efforts to curb crude oil theft are yielding results through improved intelligence gathering, drone deployment, enhanced surveillance systems and collaboration with host communities and international oil companies.

According to him, the measures have made criminal activities increasingly difficult within the Niger Delta waterways.

Olodude also said the Navy is making progress in indigenous shipbuilding, with locally built and maintained vessels receiving international recognition, including at the 2023 Presidential Fleet Review.

He added that the Navy has expanded regional and global partnerships through maritime operations and engagements across the Gulf of Guinea and countries including the United Kingdom and Australia.

Activities lined up for the anniversary include an international maritime conference, ship parade, medical outreach and community engagement programmes.