OBANGAME Express: AIG Maritime commends Navy’s unwavering dedication to regional maritime security
The Maritime Police Command extends profound appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for the esteemed invitation to the opening ceremony of Exercise OBANGAME Express 2025.
The Maritime Command Police, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, has recognized and commended the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering dedication to enhancing regional maritime security and fostering multilateral cooperation.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, Musa Yusuf Garba, gave the commendation when he joined the Chief of the Naval Staff, other service Commanders, and representative of the US Embassy in the flag off ceremony of Exercise OBANGAME Express 2025 onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Kada between May 9th and 13th, 2025.
Exercise OBANGAME Express is a multi-national naval exercise that aims to enhance cooperation and information sharing among member states of the Gulf of Guinea, particularly countering maritime crimes.
The exercise area includes 20 to 30 nautical miles south of Lagos fairway buoy with six Nigerian Navy ships and one Spanish ship detailed to cover the sub-divided areas of the exercise. Scheduled activities included communication checks, maneuvers, MAN AND CHEERSHIP, maritime interdiction against small arms, smuggling, and narcotics.
Related Posts
AIG Garba reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening its collaborative efforts in safeguarding the maritime domain.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff noted that exercise OBANGAME Express has over the years enhanced Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and has contributed to regional stability and security within the West African sub-region.
Represented by the Flag officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MG Oamen, the Chief of the Naval Staff concluded that the exercise will positively impact the readiness of the Nigerian Navy for action harnessing the benefit of international collaboration and cooperation.
The acting Fleet Commander, Western fleet, Navy Captain LD Deyin stated that the exercise was a strategic imperative to tackle threats such as small arms and light weapons, smuggling, human trafficking and other related Maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
He stated further that the exercise would serve as a platform for collaboration among the navies of the Gulf of Guinea countries, international partners, and all maritime stakeholders.
