Esther oseyiomon
The Nigerian Navy on Friday inducted 328 personnel into its newly created Marine unit, in a strategic move to safeguard Nigeria’s $16.6 billion offshore oil and gas investments and tighten security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The new unit, trained for six months by the United States Special Forces, underwent intensive aerial, ground and amphibious drills under tough terrains and operational conditions. The pioneer squad has been codenamed “Bushmen.”
Speaking at the induction ceremony at the Nigerian Navy Town, Ojo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, described the graduation as a decisive milestone in Nigeria’s maritime security framework.
Oluyede said Nigeria’s strategic position within the Gulf of Guinea demands a more integrated and adaptive response to emerging asymmetric threats, including maritime crimes and attacks on oil infrastructure.
He noted that while the Navy maintains a presence from inland waterways to the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone, evolving security risks require a specialised force capable of bridging operational gaps between land and sea.
According to him, the Marines will enhance the Armed Forces’ ability to protect critical national assets, secure coastal communities and sustain economic activities linked to maritime trade and oil production.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, said the Marines were established under the Navy’s Special Operations Command to provide a mobile and versatile force for riverine and littoral operations, as well as inland missions connected to maritime threats.
Abbas explained that the creation of the unit followed the establishment of the Special Operations Command eight months ago to strengthen precision strikes, counterterrorism efforts and strategic interdictions. He added that synergy between the Marines and the Special Boat Service would deliver greater amphibious depth across naval operations.
Also speaking, Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Marines Training Centre, Olayinka Aliu, said the unit was formally established on June 1, 2025, as a light infantry and special operations-capable force.
Aliu disclosed that the pioneer Basic Marines Qualifying Course, which began in August 2025, covered endurance drills, amphibious manoeuvres, marksmanship, close-quarters battle, survival skills and jungle warfare exercises in Ogun State, culminating in joint operations with other naval combat units.