The Nigerian Navy has joined allies and partners for the French-led exercise Grand African Navy Exercise for Maritime Operations (NEMO) 2022 in the Gulf of Guinea, which will last between 12th to 16th Oct 2022.
ViceAdmiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai said that, the exercise would enhance the policing of the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone and the navy’s capabilities and capacity to secure the nation’s waterways.
Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy has deployed four ships and two helicopter for the 2022 Grand African NEMO exercise.
The week long exercise was Flag-off in Lagos as Nigerian Navy official will participate in maritime security scenarios that combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, drug trafficking, pollution, and rescue at sea.
Grand African NEMO 2022 participants include Angola, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Portugal, Sao-Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, United Kingdom, and the United States.
He said the exercise aims at ensuring the freedom of navigation in the nation’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea by strengthening coordination in the fight against maritime insecurity.
The Nigerian Navy Maritime Awareness Domain facilities and elements of Special Boat Service (navy special forces) will also participate in the exercise. “The exercise will also cover anti-piracy, protection of oil facilities as well as conducting search-and-rescue operations, among others.
