Abuja: The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria, urging citizens to complement security efforts by providing timely and credible information. Abbas, represented by the Chief of Administration, Rear Adm. Jonathan Mamman, spoke on Saturday during the Nigerian Navy’s fourth-quarter route march for 2025 in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas commended personnel for turning out in large numbers and maintaining high physical fitness standards. He emphasized that physical readiness remained central to national defense, stressing that ‘a nation cannot be defended by unwell personnel.’ Abbas urged personnel to take responsibility for their well-being beyond routine exercise schedules, emphasizing the importance of health and physical fitness as vital pillars of the nation’s defense architecture.
Abbas congratulated officers and ratings for sustaining the Navy’s quarterly fitness programme, highlighting the service’s commitment to operational readiness across all theatres. He reaffirmed that the navy was fully involved in counterterrorism and internal security operations nationwide, emphasizing the Navy’s presence in various regions facing security challenges.
The CNS underscored the importance of local intelligence in sustaining recent security gains. He explained that ongoing operations are defense-led and anchored on a tri-service framework involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with support from the DSS, police, and other security agencies. Abbas reiterated that security is not solely the duty of the military and police, urging citizens to provide information that could aid in protecting the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the route march, which covered over five kilometres, had officers and ratings serving within Abuja as participants.
