By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigerian Navy has flagged off a maritime security operations, codenamed Exercise Obangame Express 2024, aimed at strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The exercise was initiated by the United States of America in conjunction with other navies of the world for global Maritime Security and has been ongoing for fourteen years.
In his Address to flag-off the exercise onboard NNS KADA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Olusegun Fereirra, said Exercise Obangame Express presents an opportunity for participating countries to work together to develop African-led solutions to transnational threats and challenges with the strategic aim of promoting regional security.
The CONS restated the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to regional collaboration, noting the recent feats of the agency in maritime crime, which included the arrest of MB Jasmine said to be involved in crude oil theft, the support by the French Navy in providing information about MT Big Majesty in the Gulf of Guinea about two months ago and the recent arrest of MV Blu Shark, on behalf of the Gabonese Government, a few days ago.
He said: “As we are all aware, exercise Obangame Express is designed to exercise fleets of the Gulf of Guinea region with participation from strategic international partners who identify with the common vision of a safe and secure region for shared prosperity and development. The exercise also presents an opportunity to work together to develop African-led solutions to transnational threats and challenges with the strategic aim of promoting regional security.
“The recent collaborative effort between the Camerounian Navy and the Nigerian Navy which led to the arrest of MB Jasmine which was involved in crude oil theft exemplifies this commitment. Similarly, the support by the French Navy in providing information about another rogue Vessel, MT Big Majesty in the Gulf of Guinea about two months ago also supports this assertion. Similarly, the most recent arrest of MV Blu Shark, on behalf of the Gabonese Government a few days ago, is another demonstration of the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to regional collaboration.
“All of these also represent what Exercise Obangame Express seeks to achieve, which are already commonplace in our maritime space. These successes are also in alignment with the planned takeoff of the combined maritime taskforce inder the auspices of the African Union for effective regional collaboration to address maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea.”
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The CONS reaffirmed the unalloyed commitment of the Nigerian Navy to its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the fight against crude oil theft.
He also enjoin the participating ships, personnel, and maritime information entities to embrace the opportunity that the Exercise Obangame Express 2024 aims to achieve.
“As the baston of Nigeria’s seapower potentials, the Nigerian Navy will continue to remain laser-focused, determined, relentless and resolute in this task of protecting our common patrimony and heritage not withstanding the dynamics of the operating environment which has increasingly become complex in recent time,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Officer Technical Commander, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ukuom, said the Exercise Obangame Express is a multi-phased annual exercise that is primarily aimed at enhancing and bolstering the collective efforts of regional navies in the gulf of Guinea in the fight against maritime crime.
He also said that this year’s exercise is scheduled to take place from 10th of May to the 17th of May, with Gabon as the hosting country.
“It would involve maritime nations from Europe to America and the Nigerian Navy is deploying numerous platforms, numerous assets, frigging side ships, air assets, special components for this exercise,” he said.
He, therefore, expressed deep appreciation to the Chief of Naval Staff for accepting and providing all the logistics required for the the Nigerian Navy to participate in the exercise, and vouched the unrelenting loyalty of personnel in their dedication to service and pursuit of the objectives of the strategic directives of the CONS
The Nigerian Navy will be deploying eight ships, two helicopters and special boat services during the exercise.
