Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, has urged naval officers and ratings to improve their communication and cybersecurity capabilities to match evolving warfare demands. He gave the charge on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day intra-command communication and cybersecurity competition held aboard Nigerian Navy Ship Delta (NNS Delta) in Warri, Delta State. The event, which ended Wednesday, brought together participants from across the command to test skills in information management, network protection, and digital operations. Rear Admiral Ibrahim, represented by Commander NNS Delta Commodore Shehu Mohammed Tasiu, stressed that modern warfare now extends beyond land, sea, and air into cyberspace and communication networks, describing them as the fifth domain of conflict.
He warned that control of information and secure networks provides a strategic edge, citing global examples where GPS jamming, cyber attacks on port systems, and compromised naval logistics disrupted military operations. Domestically, he pointed to bandits using encrypted tools and digital tactics to evade capture, as well as the role of cryptocurrency in sustaining the 2020 Endsars protests and cybercrime activities by "yahoo boys" targeting financial institutions. "The most secured moment was a while ago," he said, emphasizing the need for constant advancement. He insisted that naval communicators and cyber operators must remain the sharpest to guarantee the security of Nigeria's cyber systems and operational effectiveness.
Commodore Tasiu thanked Rear Admiral Ibrahim for funding and approving the event, stating it would enhance operational readiness in the command's area of responsibility. He praised the organizers and urged the board of umpires to remain fair and objective. Participants were told to treat the competition as a platform for skill assessment, mutual learning, and raising standards. At the closing ceremony on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Ibrahim said the event showcased professionalism, innovation, and teamwork, affirming that naval communicators are prepared for modern operational challenges.
Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim highlights cyber threats from bandits and Yahoo boys while relying on an unverified claim about crypto funding Endsars. He frames cybersecurity as critical to national defense yet cites a widely contested narrative as fact. This undermines the credibility of his warning despite the real risks in Nigeria's digital security space. The Navy's focus on skill-building is clear, but its messaging risks confusion when blending operational facts with unproven assertions.
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