BY USMAN MOHAMMED, JANUARY 01, 2026, 12:30 PM
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has visited Maiduguri for an operational assessment of security activities in the North-East and the Lake Chad region.
During the visit, he addressed journalists at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Maiduguri, where he outlined the activities of the Nigerian Navy in securing the Lake Chad waterways.
He said the Nigerian Navy is focused on denying terrorists access to the Lake Chad waterways through coordinated operations.
He stated that the Navy, working with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has been involved in clearing terrorist elements from the waterways, including operations conducted under Operation Lake Sanity I, which targeted insurgent logistics and movement across the Lake Chad Basin.
Vice Admiral Abbas said the Navy maintains regular patrols on the waterways to sustain the gains recorded.
According to him, the patrols are intended to disrupt terrorist routes, prevent regrouping, and support the safety of local communities.
He added that the Navy conducts Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations in coordination with the Nigerian Air Force.
He said the joint ISR activities improve situational awareness, support the identification of terrorist activities, and assist maritime interdiction operations within the Lake Chad Basin.
On infrastructure, he disclosed that the Nigerian Navy Lake Chad (NBLC) has carried out engineering works to improve access to waterways.
He said about 11 kilometres of waterways have been dredged and cleared, allowing the return of fishermen, farmers, traders and transport operators, and supporting economic activities in the area.
In a related development, the Borno State Government has confirmed the continuation of waterways clearance in Kukawa Local Government Area, covering 20 kilometres.
The Member representing Kukawa Constituency at the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Karta Maina Ma’aji Lawan, said the project has reached a key stage and is expected to support trade across the Lake Chad Basin.
Hon. Lawan said Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has provided equipment for the clearance project, including five swamp buggy floaters valued at over N1 billion each.
He said the equipment is being used for the clearance of waterways between Baga and Baga Sulla, covering a 60-kilometre stretch towards the Republic of Chad.
He said the project is aimed at restoring navigation on the Lake Chad waterways and improving commercial links between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
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