The Nigerian Navy has announced the establishment of a Special Operations Command in Makurdi, Benue State, aimed at strengthening security operations in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), revealed this development during a news conference in Abuja on Monday while outlining activities for the Nigerian Navy's 69th Anniversary Celebrations.

According to Dewu, the new command will be situated on the North Bank of the River Benue and will house specialized units including Navy Marines, Special Boat Service (SBS), and Blue Sea Operations personnel.

"The Nigerian navy will need to have trained personnel that will operate side by side with the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force. That is why we needed to get special ratings of personnel, or the Navy Marines, which we intend to establish in Makurdi that will be operating not just at sea, but to operate in other terrains, which is the land," he explained.

The initiative aligns with the Nigerian Navy's Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy, which defines its operational scope from Back Waters through the Exclusive Economic Zone to Out of Area and Land Based Operations.

New Naval Assets to Boost Operations

In addition to the new command, Rear Admiral Dewu announced that the Navy has taken delivery of three new patrol vessels and three helicopters to enhance its maritime security operations.

The patrol vessels, identified as NNS SHERE, NNS FARO, and NNS IKOGOSI, are approximately 38 meters long with an operational endurance of five days. Two of these vessels were acquired from Singapore and one from South Korea, all arriving in Nigeria in December 2024.

"These vessels will serve as Seaward Defence boats within Nigeria's littorals up to the 24 nautical mile contiguous zone and when necessary, go beyond in hot pursuit as needed. Essentially, they will improve our presence at sea," Dewu stated.

The Navy has also acquired three additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, bringing its total helicopter fleet to 14, which Dewu noted would "improve our air operations exponentially."

These new platforms are scheduled to be formally inducted during the upcoming Navy Week celebrations.

The establishment of this command represents a significant step in the Nigerian military's collaborative approach to addressing security challenges in the Middle Belt region, which has faced various security threats in recent years.