Naval Chief Orders Personnel to Support Democracy and Demonstrate Dedication to Duty

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of Naval Staff, instructed Nigerian Navy officers and ratings to uphold their duty with steadfastness and to provide unwavering support to Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional authority.

He warned personnel against any actions that might tarnish the service’s reputation, assuring them that the Navy would continue to supply the support needed for optimal performance in their roles.

The address took place during the 2026 Second Quarter Route March at the Naval Base, Admiralty Estate, Asokoro, Abuja.

Represented by Chief of Communication and Information Technology Rear Admiral Samiu Adepegba, the CNS explained that the exercise aimed to boost both physical and mental alertness of personnel in line with the evolving demands of modern security operations, and to strengthen esprit de corps among personnel and allied security agencies.

He stated: “I enjoin you to continue to be professional in the conduct of your duties and day-to-day activities. Furthermore, I encourage you not to engage in any act that could bring the Service into disrepute in the course of your duty. The Nigerian Navy will continue to support you by providing all that is required to function optimally in your assigned tasks, and I charge you to show dedication to duty and unflinching support to our democracy and constituted authority.”

Admiral Abbas noted that the Nigerian Navy’s constitutional mandate is to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain, while also playing a pivotal role in Gulf of Guinea maritime security arrangements and nationwide internal security operations.

He emphasized that these responsibilities render physical and mental fitness essential for operational effectiveness.

According to him, “The Nigerian Navy is primarily responsible for the protection of the nation’s maritime domain and also a major contributor to the Gulf of Guinea maritime security arrangement. The Service is also a major participant in internal security duties all over the country. This makes it imperative that we be mentally and physically fit at all times. Thus, exercises and physical training remain the bedrock of naval personnel’s daily readiness for sea and shore duties. Notably, the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to enhancing mental and physical fitness has yielded dividends, as evidenced by its sterling contributions to national security, peace, and prosperity. It is in recognition of this fact and the desire of the Service to keep personnel physically fit that the Route March, among other physical fitness exercises, is sustained in the Nigerian Navy schedule of events.”

He also underscored the importance of civil‑military relations, noting that cordial engagement with civilians improves intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness.

According to him, “Pertinently, the performance we have witnessed today guarantees that the Nigerian Navy will continue to meet its constitutional commitments in collaboration with other security agencies in Nigeria to improve national security. In this regard, I enjoin you all to keep the flag flying by diligently performing your duties while maintaining utmost regard for human rights. I urge you to continue to be law-abiding citizens and, at the same time, maintain cordial and improved relationships with the civilian population and other stakeholders. Moreover, your duty to defend the territorial integrity of our fatherland will be meaningless if the Nigerian populace is not enjoying a harmonious relationship with the Armed Forces.”