The Western Naval Command has said that the rate at which insecurity had reduced in the Gulf of Guniea was as a result of increased international collaboration.
The Command’s Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Halilu Zakaria who represented the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) disclosed this on Tuesday during French Navy Ship, Commandant BOUAN courtesy visit to the command.
Halilu said that a lot of successes had been achieved collaborating with other Navies at the Gulf of Guniea and this had led to an impressive reduction of the rate of insecurity within the gulf.
“One of the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS)Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo is improved international collaboration.
“The presence of the ship within the Gulf of Guniea further shows the collaboration that the Nigerian Navy has with France.
“The interest of France within the gulf is a welcome development and this is something that the Nigerian Navy will look forward to partnering with them for improved result,” he said.
The rear admiral said that collaboration with France and other international navy in the form of exercise NEMO and Obangame had improved strategies and increased response time to maritime threat.
“All this programmes are a way of reducing the spate of insecurity within the Gulf of Guniea,” Halilu said.
The Commandant of French Navy Ship (FNS) Bouan, Lt.Cdr. Benoit Renie said that working together with Nigerian Navy and other navies would increase maritime security in the Gulf of Guniea.
“We are visiting Nigeria here in Lagos which has been our first visit in two years and we are here to reinforce partnership between the two countries.
“We will be here for two days before we leave on the Friday and will work together for a one-day exercise before we leave to continue our patrol at the Gulf of Guniea,” he said.
Renie said that France had played a big role in helping african countries involved in the Gulf of Guniea to increase their ability to work together through sharing information to increase maritime security.
