LAGOS — The Beninese Navy has officially received its refurbished deep-sea patrol vessel, BNS Matelot Brice Kpomasse (MBK), from the Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited in Lagos, in a move that underscores growing regional maritime cooperation between both countries.
The handover ceremony, held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, marked another milestone in the long-standing defence collaboration between the Nigerian and Beninese navies aimed at boosting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Republic of Benin, Commodore Dossa Hounkpatin, lauded the Nigerian Naval Dockyard for its professionalism and technical excellence in restoring the patrol ship to full operational condition.
Represented by the Beninese Director of Military Organisation and Personnel, Capt. Mohamed Idrissou, the naval chief described the refit as a symbol of South-South cooperation and a reflection of Nigeria’s rising reputation in ship maintenance and repair across the subregion.
“The completion of this project demonstrates the undeniable technical capability of the Nigerian Naval Dockyard,” Hounkpatin said.
“It represents an exemplary model of cooperation between Nigeria and Benin that has yielded tangible and convincing results.”
He noted that BNS MBK is the third Beninese naval vessel refurbished by the Nigerian facility, adding that the partnership has deepened trust and operational synergy between both nations’ maritime forces.
Hounkpatin further observed that the collaboration mirrors the political will of both countries to strengthen their joint response to security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
He commended the cooperation under the Yaoundé Architecture framework, which promotes intelligence sharing and joint operations among West and Central African navies.
“The regular organisation of sub-regional exercises and information exchange is proof of our commitment,” he said.
“I hope this cooperation continues to grow in the interest of our subregion and maritime economies.”
He also charged the commander and crew of BNS MBK to uphold discipline and professionalism as they deploy the refurbished vessel for national and regional missions.
“You are setting sail on a vessel that has been completely renewed and strengthened to face the challenges of the Gulf of Guinea and beyond,” he told them.
In his remarks, the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, said the partnership with Benin Republic includes the docking and refit of six naval ships, with BNS PENDJARI and BNS COUFFO already completed and returned to service.
“Repair work is ongoing on BNS OUEME and BNS ZOU,” Shehu explained.
“This collaboration marks a significant stride in strengthening regional capacity for maritime security and cooperation.”
According to him, the Dockyard carried out extensive work on BNS MBK, including hull replating, engine and gearbox overhauls, replacement of the anchor, and reconditioning of key propulsion and steering systems.
“The vessel has been fully restored to operational and seaworthy condition,” he said. “It is now ready to perform its strategic role in Benin’s maritime domain.”
Shehu also commended Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for his unwavering support, which he said was instrumental to the project’s success.
The refurbished BNS MBK is expected to enhance Benin’s capability to police its territorial waters and support collective security initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea—a region that continues to face challenges of piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed pledge from both navies to sustain their partnership and pursue further technical cooperation to ensure safe and secure seas across West Africa.
