The visit of the United States Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, to the Western Naval Command and the Regional Maritime Capability Center (RMAC) marked a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The main objective of this visit was to consolidate the strategic partnership between the two nations to ensure security and stability in the Gulf of Guinea, a region often affected by maritime criminal activities such as piracy, oil theft and unregulated fishing.
Highlighting the importance of this cooperation, Mr. Mills stressed the need to minimize incidents of maritime crime in the region. He emphasized that intelligence sharing, training capabilities and coordination of maritime operations were key elements to effectively combat these illicit activities. Furthermore, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of joint maritime exercises between the two navies to improve coordination and enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Commander of the Western Navy, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, expressed gratitude to the United States for its cooperation in the region. He highlighted the need to improve the detection capabilities of the Regional Maritime Awareness System to ensure better monitoring of maritime activities. Hassan also stressed the importance of upgrading the system to align the Nigerian Navy with international standards of maritime security.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that the United States is planning another maritime exercise, Obangame Express, which will help prepare the Nigerian Navy for contingencies in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise will enhance operational and response skills, thereby strengthening the region’s capacity to address maritime threats.
In conclusion, the visit of the American Ambassador underscored the commitment of the United States to support stability and security in the Gulf of Guinea. Cooperation between the US and Nigerian navies will strengthen the region’s ability to address security challenges and ensure the free movement of goods and people in the waters of this strategic area of West Africa.