Abuja, The United States African Command (AFRICOM) on Thursday pledged to continue its military assistance to the Nigerian Navy.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the disclosure was made by Gen. David Rodriguez, the Commander of AFRICOM who led a delegation to the Naval Headquarters.
The statement recalled that AFRICOM had been collaborating with stakeholders on the continent on conflict resolutions, humanitarian and military affairs.
Rodriguez said that he visited the Naval Headquarters as part of his tour of strategic Partners in Africa, particularly Nigeria, in order to deepen US commitment in deterrence of transnational threats.
He expressed the desire of his command to continue to engage Nigerian Navy personnel in training programmes as a way of enhancing capability to tackle maritime threats and insurgency in Nigeria.
Responding, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, said the partnership between Nigerian Navy and the US had been very fruitful.
`` The relationship has helped the service to build impressive capacity in the area of training and ship acquisition,’’ Ibas said.
He observed that the AFRICOM training engagement with Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service (NNSBS) operatives had been of immense contribution to the success recorded in maritime security and counter-insurgency operation in the North-East.
The chief of naval staff, however, urged the AFRICOM to further assist the Nigerian Navy in the area of intelligence gathering, surveillance, supply of ships spares and training.
He noted that the current joint exercise, OBAGAME Express, conducted annually, was achieving its objectives.
He also reiterated the resolve of the Nigerian Navy to deploy more ships to maintain the current sea patrol in order to tackle maritime security challenges. (NAN)
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