The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has pledged to secure the Baga Naval Base and the Lake Chad waters from the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) insurgents that have devastated lives and property in Borno State.

Speaking on Saturday at the Baga Naval Base, Ogalla addressed troops, urging them to sustain their efforts in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region. “You are to remain resolute and gallant in the fight against the insurgents, as the Federal Government is deploying more resources to end the 16-year Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East,” he said.

The CNS directed troops to take the fight directly to terrorist hideouts along the shores of Lake Chad, emphasising the need for synergy between the Nigerian Navy and Army. “Smoking out the terrorists from the Lake Chad region will ensure the waterways are safe for all, including fishermen and farmers,” he added.

Ogalla highlighted the strategic importance of the Baga Naval Base in the fight against insurgency, noting its critical role in securing the Lake Chad waters for fishing, transportation, and the overall safety of the region. He warned insurgents against any further attacks on the base, citing their recent “massive defeat.”