In a major step toward enhancing maritime security and inland waterway policing, the Nigerian Navy has concluded plans to establish a full-fledged naval base in Yauri, Kebbi State.
The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris by a naval delegation led by Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
“River Niger is increasingly being exploited by criminal elements for smuggling arms and other illicit activities,” said Rear Admiral Nwatu. “The Nigerian Navy deems it necessary to extend operations into Kebbi to secure this critical waterway.”
The new base is part of a broader strategy to combat security threats along inland rivers, particularly the River Niger, which flows through several northern states and serves as a critical commercial and agricultural corridor.
Yauri was chosen due to its strategic location along the River Niger and its proximity to international borders with Niger and Benin Republics, where cross-border banditry and smuggling remain persistent concerns.
Governor Nasir Idris expressed his administration’s full support for the initiative:
“We’ve never had a naval base in Kebbi before. This is a much-needed intervention given the security challenges in the southern axis of the state,” he said.
The governor pledged temporary accommodation and logistical support pending construction of a permanent facility.
Rear Admiral Nwatu noted that the base will complement existing naval outposts in Niger State, forming part of an extended security architecture in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
While marine police are currently operational in Yauri, Governor Idris acknowledged that their numbers and resources are inadequate for the growing threat landscape.
The upcoming Naval base is expected to improve surveillance and patrol along the River Niger, deter arms smuggling and illegal activities, and support inter-agency collaboration on border security
The base underscores the Navy’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s inland waterways and national integrity amid rising security concerns.
