The Nigerian Navy, has pledged the force’s continued collaboration with other countries to combat piracy in the territorial waters of Nigeria.
Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Nigerian Naval Command, disclosed this during a visit pf the crew of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913), at the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
It was learnt that the essence of the visit, is to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between both countries.
Speaking while receiving the crew at the Western Naval Command Headquarters, Rear Admiral Wambai disclosed that in April this year, Nigeria was delisted from the list of pirates states, meaning that, it has not had any incident of piracy over the last 12 months.
He attributed it to the effort of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who has put in a task and a timeline, and followed up with proper guidance, ensuring that the Navy maintain close relationship with our foreign partners.
His words: “This collaborative effort of maintaining presence at sea, with them always being around, have been able to lead us to the state where we are. Going forward, such collaboration will continue, and that is why you are seeing MOHAWK here today.
“Ships like the USCGC Mohawk are the backbone of America’s commitment to not just our own security, but to ensuring the world’s oceans remain free and open.
“The United States is eager to work with Nigeria in its efforts towards the security of its territorial waters and the larger Gulf of Guinea.”
He promised the arrival of more of those ships. “Going forward, such collaboration will continue. Next week there is a ship coming from India. In October, another ship will be coming from the UK. So we will continue to have these series of collaborative efforts of international partners working together with us to ensure there is synergy in combating this scourge. No one country can do that alone, except all of being together”.
Also the Consul General of the US Embassy in Lagos, Will Stevens, said the arrival USCG Mohawk to Nigeria, buttresses America’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in its efforts to secure territorial waters and the greater Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
He stated that Nigerian Navy has being long term partners with them, and expressed delight in the achievements of the Nigerian Navy in combating piracy in their territorial waters. “It is a credible achievement and I think a mark of the increase in capacity are here”.
He described the sea as absolutely critical to the global economy, as 90 percent of the trade economy moves on the ocean, therefore the need to make the ocean open and free to trade is essential.
Cdr Andrew Pate, MOHAWK CO, while speaking to the press, said they are excited to be in Nigeria after spending a month at sea, patrolling Western America, Africa, working with partners. He described security as every ones responsibility.
On their other activities during the visit, he said, “As Consul General mentioned, we will be conducting discussions, performing exercises, doing trainings, and working along side with the Nigerian navy”, Pate said.
