The Nigerian Navy on Friday deployed 2 helicopters and 10 warships in a joint multinational maritime exercise which comprised the navies of 31 other countries.
The maritime exercise tagged ‘Obangame Express 2022’ was inaugurated in Onne, Eleme Local Government of Rivers State by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo who stated that the drill would be conducted on Nigeria’s waterways and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) from March 11 to March 18.
He said, “Exercise Obangame Express is an annual multinational maritime exercise, which was borne out of the need for GoG navies and coastguards to cooperate for regional maritime security.
“The Nigerian Navy will deploy 10 ships, 2 helicopters; maritime domain awareness assets as well as elements of the Special Boat Services (Nigeria’s naval special forces) in this year’s exercise.
“The exercise will make a positive impact on our combat operation through training while exposing other maritime-related agencies to the benefits of inter-agency cooperation and international collaboration.”
Gambo further disclosed that a report released by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) on March 3 stated that Nigeria was removed from the list of piracy-prone countries.
According to him, “This year’s exercise is particularly instructive considering the efforts of our governments to operate the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which has potential intra-African trade by 33 percent.
“So, Obangame presents an opportunity for the Nigerian Navy to work together with other regional and friendly navies to safeguard and secure the GoG, to boost maritime trade and commerce.”
Countries participating in the exercise include Angola, Belgium, Benin Republic, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau and Italy.
Others are Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger Republic, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the United States of America.
Also participating are Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African State.
Other participants in the exercise include representatives from the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Ministry of Justice.
