As part of measures to ensure security and collaboration in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), the Nigerian Navy (NN) and its counterparts from 29 countries will participate in major sea exercise.
The multinational exercise codenamed OBANGAME is slated for March 14, through 25 with opening and closing ceremonies to be held in Dakar, Senegal and Douala, Cameroon.
Among the participating nations are Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Others include Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Norway, Mauritania, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe and Senegal.
Sierra Leone, Spain, South Africa, Togo, Turkey, the Netherlands, and the United States of America (USA), as well as regional organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) will also participate.
A statement signed by the NN’s Director of Information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe disclosed that Nigeria will deploy three ships and a helicopter for the Exercise.
“The multi-national exercise will focus on increasing regional cooperation and inter operability to enhance maritime safety and security. The exercise will be conducted in the Gulf of Guinea and will evaluate combined operations to counter illicit maritime activities utilising inter regional, regional and national whole-of–government approach towards curbing untoward activities in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The Nigerian Navy is committing three ships, NNS OKPABANA, NNS CENTENARY and NNS PROSPERITY for the exercise which is the highest by any participating navy in the region.
“The opening ceremony of the Exercise is scheduled for March 17 in Dakar, Senegal. Execution phase from March 14 to 24 will take place at sea, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for March 25 in Doula, Cameroon,” said Ezekobe.
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