Nigerian Navy commissions patrol vessels

NNS Faro (P197), NNS Shere (P198), and NNS Ikogosi (P165) during their commissioning at NNS Beecroft in Apapa. (Nigerian Navy)

The Nigerian Navy commissioned three patrol vessels and three helicopters as part of its 69th anniversary celebrations on 31 May.

The event was held at NNS Beecroft, the navy's base in Apapa, Lagos, and the new vessels were identified as NNS Faro (P197), NNS Shere (P198), and NNS Ikogosi (P165). The latter is a 37 m Chamsuri-class patrol vessel donated by South Korea.

The origins of Faro and Shere were not disclosed in the media coverage of their commissioning, but they could be identified as the two Sea Eagle vessels that were completed for Nigeria by two Malaysian shipyards, according to an August 2024 report by Malaysian news agency Bernama. It added that the vessels were scheduled to be delivered to Apapa by a cargo vessel the following month.

In his speech during the commissioning, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla said additional vessels were expected before the end of the year, including the two 76 m offshore patrol boats that are being built by Turkish shipyard Dearsan, and three 46 m fast patrol boats that are being built in China.

The Nigerian Navy also commissioned three Leonardo AW109 Trekker light helicopters, which Channels TV reported had brought the navy's helicopter fleet up to 14.