The Commanding Officer of the French amphibious group Tonnerre, Captain Arnaud Borelli, has commended the Nigerian Navy for its cooperation and commitment to enhancing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Captain Borelli, who spoke in Lagos during the flag-off of Exercise Crocodile Lift 2025, said he arrived in Nigeria with Colonel Benjamin Brunet, commander of the troops onboard, and a contingent of 650 soldiers and sailors as part of a three-month “Koham Mission” patrol in the Gulf of Guinea.
He explained that the mission, which began in September, was designed to strengthen collaboration with coastal nations and their navies in tackling maritime crimes, including piracy, smuggling, and other illegal activities.
“One of the highlights of our mission is our time here in Lagos,” Borelli said. “We arrived yesterday to prepare for Exercise Crocodile Lift 2025, which will allow us to deepen our cooperation with the Nigerian Navy and enhance our ability to conduct joint operations against illegal maritime activities.”
The French commander noted that the exercise would span two days and involve both amphibious and naval components under the operational control of the Nigerian Navy.
“Training together will enable us to go deeper and further in interoperability,” he added. “It is a great honor for the soldiers and sailors of the amphibious group to be in Nigeria for this exercise. We are glad to work alongside your fine ships and troops.”
Captain Borelli expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for hosting the French contingent and praised the meticulous planning of the exercise, describing it as “well-prepared and promising to be highly beneficial to both navies.”
Exercise Crocodile Lift 2025 is a multinational maritime operation aimed at improving joint response capabilities and strengthening regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
