The Nigerian Navy Special Boats Service (NNSBS) on Thursday, January 29, 2026, graduated 20 operators who successfully completed the British Defence Staff Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Level 2 (VBSS-L2) Course at the NNSBS Headquarters in Ojo, Lagos.
The course, which lasted three weeks, was an intensive training programme conducted by instructors from the United Kingdom’s 42 Royal Marines Commando as part of ongoing defence collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The graduation ceremony was attended by senior military officials from both countries, including the United Kingdom Defence Attaché and Head of British Defence Staff (BDS) West Africa, Brigadier General Thomas Harper, and the Staff Officer Grade 2 Maritime, Lieutenant Commander Peter Fairbanks.
Also present were the Commanding Officer of NNSBS, Captain Andrew Zidon, senior staff officers, instructors and other invited guests, underscoring the strong bilateral military partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the British Armed Forces.
As part of the training, the participants carried out a Final Training Exercise (FTX) designed to test their newly acquired skills. During the exercise, the graduating operators planned and executed a simulated raid on a designated objective building at Ibeshe Beach.
The scenario involved capturing and securing the headquarters of a mock Violent Extremist Organisation (VEO). The exercise was successfully carried out, demonstrating the improved tactical competence and operational readiness of the trainees.
Speaking at the event, military officials commended the professionalism displayed by the participants and the effectiveness of the training programme in enhancing the Nigerian Navy’s special operations capabilities.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates and awards to the graduating operators as well as members of the British Defence Staff training team in recognition of their contributions.
The VBSS-L2 course is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Navy in maritime interdiction operations, counter-terrorism, and combating emerging security threats within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The training further reinforces the commitment of both nations to deepening defence cooperation and improving regional maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
