Navy Chief Ogalla Charges Troops in Baga to Take Fight to Insurgents’ Enclaves Across Lake Chad ; Baga, Borno State
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has issued a bold directive to officers and men of the Nigerian Navy deployed in Baga, charging them to intensify their operations and take the fight directly to insurgent enclaves scattered across the Lake Chad basin.
The Navy Chief, who visited the strategic military base on Saturday as part of a morale-boosting tour of frontline operations in the North-East, praised the resilience and sacrifice of the personnel stationed in the region. He urged them to maintain heightened vigilance, adopt proactive tactics, and sustain offensive operations to uproot the remnants of terrorist groups operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“You must not wait to be attacked. Take the battle to the insurgents wherever they are hiding—on the islands, across the waterways, and along the borders,” Ogalla stated firmly during an address to naval personnel in Baga. “This region is of high strategic importance, and we must dominate the Lake Chad axis to ensure national security and regional stability.”
Reclaiming Lake Chad
The Lake Chad region has long been a stronghold and operational corridor for terrorist factions such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These groups exploit the complex terrain of marshlands, islands, and border crossings to evade Nigerian military operations and launch surprise attacks on both military installations and civilian communities.
Vice Admiral Ogalla acknowledged the challenges of the terrain and logistics but emphasized that the Nigerian Navy—especially through its Naval Outpost in Baga and the Special Boat Service (SBS)—has both the training and the mandate to operate effectively in the unique lake environment.
“The Navy has invested in specialized equipment and trained forces to deal with asymmetric threats. It is time to utilize these capabilities fully and dismantle the criminal networks terrorizing our people,” he added.
Strengthening Joint Operations
Vice Admiral Ogalla also stressed the importance of continued inter-agency collaboration between the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, and multinational forces under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). He called for seamless coordination, intelligence sharing, and unity of purpose in the ongoing counterinsurgency campaign.
“Victory in this war depends on unity of effort. We must work in lockstep with our sister services and our regional allies. The enemy is adapting, and so must we,” Ogalla stated.
His visit comes amid renewed military offensives aimed at dismantling insurgent camps in Borno and the wider Lake Chad basin. In recent months, several operations have led to the destruction of hideouts, seizure of arms, and surrender of former combatants—though sporadic attacks still persist in parts of the region.
Troop Morale and Logistics
While addressing troops, the Naval Chief pledged continued support from the high command, including the provision of necessary logistics, equipment, and welfare to ensure operational success. He inspected naval installations in Baga, interacted with frontline officers, and reiterated the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters and inland waterways from threats.
“You are the pride of the Navy and the hope of our nation in this fight. Your courage and professionalism make the difference. The nation stands behind you,” Ogalla declared.
Community Security and Civil-Military Relations
The Chief of Naval Staff also encouraged greater engagement with local communities around Lake Chad, emphasizing the need to win hearts and minds alongside kinetic operations. He noted that improved civil-military relations would help gather vital intelligence and foster trust in the military’s mission.
Conclusion
As the security situation in Nigeria’s North-East remains fluid, Vice Admiral Ogalla’s directive represents a strategic push to shift from defensive posturing to aggressive interdiction. With insurgents still seeking refuge in the remote islets and waterways of Lake Chad, the Navy’s presence and resolve in Baga may prove pivotal in disrupting terror networks and restoring peace to the region.