INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s latest guided missile stealth frigate, arrived at Lagos, Nigeria, on January 12, 2025, for an operational turnaround as part of its ongoing deployment to the Gulf of Guinea. The ship was escorted into Lagos harbor by a Nigerian naval vessel and received a warm welcome from Nigerian Navy officials, the Indian High Commission, and the Indian diaspora in the region.
Captain Peter Varghese, Commanding Officer of INS Tushil, will meet with senior leadership of the Nigerian Navy, including Rear Admiral MG Oamen, the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command and the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard. The discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral naval cooperation.
During her stay in harbour, the ship will undertake various professional interactions, including a tabletop exercise, collaborative training activities, and cross-visits, and discussions on sharing Best Practices. Additionally, the ship’s crew, in collaboration with the High Commission of India and the Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Importers of Nigeria (IPMIN), will organise a medical camp for locals to enhance people-to-people relations between India and Nigeria.
Social and cultural activities planned to be held during the visit include a deck reception for the Nigerian Navy officials, diplomatic corps and the Indian diaspora, and also ‘Open for Visitors’ for locals to showcase the ship’s formidable capabilities and indigenous content. A Yoga session and sports fixtures are also planned during the harbour stay.
The visit reaffirms the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security and stability in the region through collaborative efforts. It also underscores the warm and friendly relations between India and Nigeria, rooted in shared values of democracy and development, as well as the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the two navies.
