Navy, partners join forces against arms, drugs trafficking
To curb the smuggling of firearms into the country, the Nigerian Navy (NN), its Spanish counterparts and the United States (US) Africa Command (AFRICOM) have flagged off this year’s joint sea exercise codenamed OBANGAME EXPRESS.
Flagged off at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT jetty in Lagos, the exercise saw the deployment of seven warships comprising six from Nigeria and one from the Spanish Navy, as well as two helicopters, maritime domain awareness capability assets and detachments of the Special Boat Services (SBS).
Initiated in 2010 to boost regional cooperation and stamp out maritime crimes like piracy, sea robbery and smuggling, the exercise also aimed at improving information-sharing practices, and tactical expertise.
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla while flagging off the exercise onboard NNS KADA, said it has over the years, played a pivotal role in enhancing Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and regional stability.
Ogalla who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, said: “This is a plus, especially as we work to promote the Blue Economy under the present administration.”
He noted that the focus for this year’s exercise was on weapons and drugs trafficking, stressing that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Police and relevant agencies would be embarked for the exercise for seamless operation.
The CNS commended President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the Navy, adding that the service was committed to collaborate with all stakeholders and international partners to rid the Gulf of Guinea of criminality.
“Exercise Obangame Express is a multinational military cooperation. So, we have virtually all the states in the Gulf of Guinea signing on to it. It’s an initiative of the United States of America, the Navy in particular, so for every year, of course, we’ll have different countries participating.
“For this year, we’re having a Spanish warship joining up with over six of our warships and aircraft and other assets.
“This year, we are focussing on small arms and light weapons, smuggling. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the Gulf of Guinea, which is very known for this kind of illicit activity, is well-policed with this kind of military engagement and ensure that the bad boys don’t have access to start bringing in illegal weapon.
“This exercise has contributed to the reduction of crimes in our waterways. In March 2022, Nigeria was delisted from the countries that the international community viewed as piracy prone and that led to the reduction of premium thereby making shipping to the country attractive.
“That for me is a plus. Moreso, when we’re trying to promote the Blue Economy of the present regime. We need the sea line of communication to be very free, so that we can bring in more goods in order to help our economy,” he said.
The Officer in Tactical Commander (OTC), and Acting Western Fleet Commander, Captain L.D. Deyin, said the exercise was a strategic imperative to tackle mutating threats in the Gulf of Guinea region.
He said the exercise would run between May 9 and 13, adding that the area selected for the operation is 20 to 30 nautical miles southwest of Lagos.
Deyin said the exercise area was subdivided into three sectors, adding that two Nigerian ships and a foreign ship would participate in each sector.
The OTC said maritime interdiction operations would be conducted across the designated areas, adding that the task units have been organized to effectively simulate and counter various maritime threats.
Maritime Programme Officer, US Consulate, Lt. Benjamin Ralen, who represented the mission at the flag-off, said this year’s exercise would involve over 25 countries.
He emphasised the importance of such operations in building strength, stability, and partnerships across the region. “Over the next few days, there will be a number of highly realistic exercises and scenarios at sea, with a focus on maritime domain awareness, including law of the sea practices. I wish all the ships and units a great exercise and look forward to seeing the results,” Ralen said.
The Nation reports that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, the Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot (ASNOD), the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC) and the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited (ASNDL), were among top dignitaries at the event.
