Navy sent five warships, others to bolster Gulf of Guinea security

The Nigerian Navy has deployed five warships, two helicopters, and two fast-attack boats to take part in a major multinational maritime exercise in the Gulf of Guinea.

The seven-day exercise, called Exercise Grand African NEMO 2024, will bring together naval forces from 26 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, in a coordinated effort to protect critical maritime assets such as oil installations along Nigeria’s coastline.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Livingstone Clinton Izu, flagged off the exercise aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA on Monday.

During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Ogalla disclosed that the exercise is designed to strengthen collaboration among the navies and coast guards of Gulf of Guinea countries with international partners committed to securing the region for shared prosperity and development.

Ogalla noted the importance of the exercise for fostering regional cooperation and developing African-led solutions to transnational threats.

He urged all participating vessels, personnel, and maritime information entities to make full use of this opportunity to meet the exercise’s objectives.

“I reiterate the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to regional collaboration in establishing a secure maritime environment that promotes economic activity,” he said.