As part of efforts to strengthen maritime security and enhance multinational cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Navy participated in a high-profile simulated maritime operation codenamed Scenario Alpha on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The exercise was a key component of the ongoing Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2025, a U.S.-led annual multinational maritime security drill.
The Scenario Alpha operation involved a Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) simulation, coordinated by Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS) KADA and FARO in partnership with the Spanish Navy warship RELÁMPAGO. The operation also featured the strategic aerial insertion of personnel from the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS) via helicopter, culminating in the successful apprehension of a simulated erring vessel.
This simulated operation was designed to mimic real-life maritime interdiction scenarios involving non-compliant or suspicious vessels operating in West African waters. During the drill, the teams demonstrated advanced tactical boarding procedures, communications, and coordination between surface and air assets, with the ultimate objective of neutralizing illegal maritime activity and restoring order on board the target vessel.
Speaking during the exercise, a senior Nigerian Navy officer highlighted the significance of the operation, stating that “Scenario Alpha reflects the growing capacity of the Nigerian Navy and its partners to carry out complex maritime security operations across different domains. It also showcases our readiness to combat piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other transnational maritime threats.”
Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS, now in its 13th edition, is sponsored by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and facilitated in collaboration with participating West and Central African navies and international partners. The exercise aims to improve cooperation, enhance maritime domain awareness, and strengthen the ability of regional navies to interdict illicit activities in the Gulf of Guinea—a region long plagued by maritime insecurity.
This year’s exercise brings together more than 30 participating nations, including naval forces from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Angola, Togo, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
The inclusion of Special Boat Service elements in the VBSS operation further emphasized the Nigerian Navy’s growing proficiency in special operations and rapid response missions. The seamless coordination with Spanish forces and use of air support represent a major leap forward in interoperability between West African and European forces.
Military analysts view OBANGAME EXPRESS as a crucial platform for building trust, sharing intelligence, and improving maritime response time among Gulf of Guinea nations. The region accounts for a significant portion of global maritime trade and remains a strategic economic corridor that requires robust security cooperation.
As OBANGAME EXPRESS 2025 continues, the Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to regional security and to fostering stronger ties with international maritime partners. The successful execution of Scenario Alpha signals a step forward in collective maritime readiness and the shared vision of a safer and more secure Gulf of Guinea.
