The Nigerian Navy said it has deployed about eight ships, two helicopters and special boat service to Exercise Obangame Express 2024 taking place in Gabon.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, speaking at the flag off ceremony in Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said Exercise Obangame Express was designed for “exercise fleets of the Golf of Guinea region with participation from strategic international partners who identified with the common vision of a safe and secured region for shared prosperity and development.”
Speaking through the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Olusegun Fereirra, the CNS said
the exercise also presents an opportunity for like minded partners to work together to develop African-led solutions to the transnational threat and challenges with the strategic aim of promoting regional security
He, however, enjoined the participating ships, personnel and maritime information entities to embrace this opportunity of Exercise Obangame Express 2024 to attain the objectives of the exercise as clearly articulated in the exercise’ directives promulgated earlier.
Ogalla said: “This should ultimately be translated to enhance maritime security operations as expected.
May I, therefore, use this opportunity to restate the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to regional collaboration which is geared towards enduring and emplacing a safe and secured common maritime slave for economic activities to strive.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Fereirra, while fielding questions from journalists said the annual event is a multi-nations sea exercise sponsored by the United States of America actually applies to the Golf of Guinea region where Navy exemplifies the essence of collaboration in maritime security.
He said: “So, for the Nigerian Navy, we are deploying about eight ships, two helicopters and of course, our special boat service which are involved in special operations.
“We also have our strategic partners from Europe; we have the Spanish Navy taking part as well as delegation from the United States. As you are aware, this year’s edition is hosted by Gabon. So, we are also taking part and the exercise is conducted simultaneously across the Golf of Guinea.”
On the activities that would take places during the exercise, he said: “Maritime security operations involves a wide range of activities that will be conducted at sea. And these activities include anti-crude oil theft, anti-piracy, anti-sea robbery operations and a host of other activities which makes us a Navy. So, Exercise Obangame Express embodies all of these wide range of exercise serials.”
Speaking, the Officer Tactical Commander, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ekwom, said the exercise was one of the express series of exercises initiated by the United States of America in conjunction with other navies of the world for global maritime security.
Rear Admiral Ekwom said this year’s exercise scheduled to take place from 10th-17th May, 2024, would involve maritime nations from Europe, America and Africa.
“I’m sure it would please you to note that the Nigerian Navy is deploying numerous platforms and assets, special forces, air assets and components for this exercise.
“It is on this note that I will like to very sincerely express our very deep appreciation to the Chief of Naval Staff for accepting that we participate in this exercise and providing all the logistics required.
“We on our part will remain unrelenting in our loyalty, dedication to service and in the pursuit of the objectives of the strategic directives of the Chief of Naval Staff.”