US boosts Nigeria Navy’s capacity to fight insecurity in Gulf of Guinea

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has received an equipment from the United States of America (USA) government in a bid to help combat insecurity, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Consular General, U. S. Embassy, Claire Pierangelo, handed over the maritime equipment to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, who was represented by the the Chief Staff Officer, (NN) Rear Admiral Tanko Pani, saying it is to help combat insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea as well as boost bilateral relations between both countries.

According to Pani, “today, we are witnessing the ceremonial hand over of Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) equipment and spares to the NN, as part of measures to re-activate and sustain the operations of the RMAC facilities donated to the NN some years ago.

“This will greatly mitigate the operational deficiencies occasioned by lack of spares in the recent past.

“It is pertinent to state that the introduction of the RMAC facilities in the NN has greatly assisted in enhancing our maritime policing efforts through intelligent based patrols.

“It reduces the cost of logistics, which hitherto was the case when we go on blind patrols looking for targets of opportunity.

“In the areas of support to the NN, the U.S. has assisted as follows: Transfer of 4 x US CG Buoy Tenders under the transfer of excess defence article from 2003 – 2004.

“Transfer of 2 x USCG Cutters between 2011 – 2014 and establishment of RMAC centres across the 3 operations commands of the NN amongst others.”

Meanwhile, Pierangelo, during the handover, said:
“This event signifies the strong and enduring relationship that our nations have. The equipment that we have here today is just part of it. It’s part of the regional maritime capability or the Ramack that began in 2006.

“It is aimed at enhancing the navy to monitor and respond to diverse maritime threats in Nigerian waters and in the Gulf of Guinea.

“The U. S. is committed to supporting the Navy and its effort to secure its territorial waters but also the larger Gulf of Guinea. You are uniquely placed here and your responsibilities are greater than many of your neighbouring countries”