The Nigerian Navy has dredged and cleared 11 kilometres of waterways in the Lake Chad Basin to improve navigability and open up previously inaccessible routes, as part of efforts to restore socio-economic activities in the region.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, disclosed this during a visit to Maiduguri on Thursday.
Abbas said the intervention was carried out by the Nigerian Navy Base, Lake Chad, through targeted engineering works aimed at improving access to critical waterways and supporting the return of normal economic life.
According to him, the cleared waterways have enabled fishermen, farmers, traders and transport operators to safely resume activities, contributing to the gradual revival of livelihoods across communities in the basin.
The naval chief noted that the Navy has continued to conduct sustained operations against terrorist groups in the area to deny them access to waterways and disrupt their logistics.
He said these efforts are being carried out in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force, with the Navy playing a major role in clearing insurgent elements from waterways, particularly during Operation Lake Sanity III.
Abbas explained that the operation focused on degrading insurgent supply routes and ensuring freedom of movement in order to consolidate security gains achieved by joint forces.
He added that the Navy maintains continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in coordination with the Nigerian Air Force, noting that the joint effort has improved situational awareness and strengthened maritime interdiction against terrorist activities.
The Chief of Naval Staff urged personnel at the Baga Naval Base to remain focused on the fight against terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin, while assuring them of his commitment to their welfare.
He also pledged continued deployment of manpower and additional equipment to support ongoing operations in the region.