NEWS
Nigerian Navy Deploys Newly Trained Marine Forces To Borno, Intensifies Offensive Against Terrorists
The Nigerian Navy has deployed a newly trained batch of specialised Marine personnel to Nigeria’s troubled Northeast, in a significant move to strengthen ongoing military operations against terrorist groups and intensify efforts to restore security across the region.
The deployment is particularly focused on the Baga axis of Borno State, an area that has witnessed persistent terrorist activities as the Armed Forces continue their campaign to dismantle insurgent networks around the Lake Chad Basin.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed the development while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Chief of Naval Staff’s Retreat at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Oluyede explained that the newly deployed Marines underwent specialised military training with support from the United States before being integrated into ongoing counterterrorism operations in the Northeast.
He revealed that the personnel were already working alongside troops of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force, strengthening joint military efforts to contain terrorist activities and prevent insurgents from regaining control of vulnerable communities.
The Defence Chief expressed satisfaction with the operational performance of the newly trained Marines, noting that their cooperation with other military services had produced encouraging results.
He particularly acknowledged their contributions to ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist operations and dismantle insurgent strongholds around the Baga axis, reaffirming the importance of coordinated military operations in confronting security threats.
Beyond the military’s operational efforts, Oluyede appealed to Nigerians to play an active role in the fight against terrorism by providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies.
He emphasised that the cooperation of residents remained crucial to identifying suspicious movements, detecting potential threats and preventing attacks before they occur.
The deployment comes amid intensified joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s counterinsurgency campaign across the Northeast and the Lake Chad Basin.
The operation brings together land, air and maritime components of the Armed Forces to target terrorist positions, destroy insurgent enclaves and weaken the operational capabilities of armed groups operating in the region.
In recent operations, security forces have continued to target suspected terrorist hideouts and positions in different parts of Borno State as part of broader efforts to restore stability and improve security around communities affected by insurgency.
The Nigerian Navy established its specialised Marine unit as part of efforts to expand its operational capabilities beyond conventional maritime security operations, particularly in environments where military engagements require specialised land and water-based expertise.
The unit’s pioneer batch, popularly known as the Bushmen, comprised 328 personnel who successfully completed six months of intensive training supported by the United States Special Forces.
The pioneer Marines were formally inducted in February 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Navy’s efforts to develop specialised combat capabilities for complex security operations.
Their deployment to the Northeast is expected to further strengthen inter-service collaboration and provide additional operational support to the ongoing campaign against terrorism, particularly in areas surrounding the Lake Chad Basin.