Chief of Operations at the Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, has passed away after a short illness.

According to counterinsurgency source Zagazola Makama, he died on Wednesday February 19, 2026.

Gkingmusik  reports that the senior naval officer had recently been appointed to head operations at the Naval Headquarters by the Chief of Naval Staff.

Before taking up that position, he served at Defence Headquarters and also worked as the Chief of Naval Intelligence.

As Chief of Operations, he was in charge of major naval activities across the country.

He supervised missions and worked closely with other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s waters.

His role placed him at the centre of efforts to tackle maritime crimes and improve safety along the nation’s coastline.

Throughout his years in service, Rear Admiral Katagum was known for his deep knowledge of naval operations.

He helped to design strategies used in different security operations and worked to improve the Navy’s intelligence system.

Many officers who trained under him later rose through the ranks, drawing from his discipline and work ethic.

He was also involved in efforts aimed at protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Under his watch, the Navy continued operations against piracy, oil theft, and other threats in the maritime space. His leadership contributed to keeping the service prepared and alert.