To ensure enhanced safety and security in the maritime domain of Zone E through operational patrols and sustained force presence at the sea, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Niger have activated a joint maritime, air surveillance and intervention on the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) waters.
Themed “Enhancing Maritime Security Through Collaboration for Regional Prosperity”, the joint task force codenamed ‘Operation Safe Domain 11’, flagged off at Cotonou Port Naval Base, Republic of Benin, last Monday, and involved vessels from participating nations with Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Aba, commanded by Commander Samson Fiyai.
The three vessels from Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo, alongside the aircraft provided by Nigeria, are to patrol and monitor the total water area of 105,746 square nautical miles (sqnm) during the five-day operation.
The operation was targeted at tackling piracy and other maritime crimes, all within the framework of policing duties at sea so as to deny pirates and other maritime criminals’ freedom of action that otherwise thrive on the Zone E flank of the GoG waters.
These security challenges often undermine the economic development of the zone while endangering the livelihood of local coastal communities and seafarers in general.
Speaking at the inauguration recently, the Director of Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone E, Commodore Aniedi Ibok, said the operation was in furtherance of the implementation of the MOU on Joint Maritime Operations and Patrols (JMOP) agreed upon by the countries involved.
According to the director, the objectives of the patrols and joint operations was to pool resources of the states parties; make the maritime resources interoperable; evaluate the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs); and operationalise the right of hot pursuit as defined by the rules of engagement and multilateral and bilateral memoranda; and finally, secure the maritime area of the ‘Maritime Zone E’.
He stressed that the adopted strategy comprised research and exchange of information, adding that this was to ensure enhanced safety and security in the maritime domain of zone E through operational patrols and sustained force presence at sea.
He also noted that it would strengthen cooperation amongst Zone E countries’ navies and other maritime actors through capacity building in maritime law enforcement operations, intelligence sharing and technical assistance amongst others while laying the foundation for further joint/combined operations.
Wholly sponsored by ECOWAS and Member States of Zone E, the operation was based on the successes recorded by the pilot exercise carried out in November 2021.
According to Ibok, some of the successes recorded from Operation Safe Domain 1 were the improvement of obtaining and sharing daily and weekly intelligence reports among member states, maritime stakeholders, and partners in the zone.
“The successful arrest and trial of pirates onboard a Chinese fishing vessel, FV HAILUFENG 11 and vessels of interest such as STI SOHO.
“The operation also led to foiling the attacks and setting free TOMMI RITSCHER and MAXIMUS with their crew,” he added.
The Benin Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Fructueux Gbaguidi, who was the special guest of honour and who flagged off the operation, said the operation was germane because the country had been facing piracy issues on its waters.
He said that was one of the reasons why all four nations came together to form a formidable force against piracy and maritime crimes, adding that, “the collaboration of these countries led to the establishment of ‘Op Safe Domain I’ in 2021 and the success of the operation has led to ‘Op Safe Domain II’ in 2023.
“This has made it possible for us to realise the objectives of securing our waters and checkmating the activities of pirates and sea crime in our maritime domain.”
Also speaking, the Benin Republic Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Captain Jean Le’on Olatoundji, stressed that only collaboration of countries could help improve the fight against the disastrous activities of piracy, adding that‘Op Safe Domain II’ demonstrated the member countries’ common will to face up to the threat in the maritime domain and piracy in the zone.
Noting that the issue of sea blindness was gradually being eradicated, the Director, Regional Maritime Security Coordination Centre, West Africa, Commodore Richard Shammah, said countries were now becoming more aware of the great economic importance of what the sea offers to their various economies.
He said: “So, for us to have economic prosperity at sea, we must have a safe and secured Maritime domain.
“This operation is necessary so that we can have a sea line of communication and trade and no one country can do it alone, hence the collaborative effort.”
After the flag off, the CO of NNS Aba, Commander Fiyai said the operation would afford all participating nations to be familiar with each other’s operating procedure, which will ensure a more effective and seamless patrol.
Chiemelie Ezeobi
Follow us on:
The federal government has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, nullifying Professor…
Court of Appeal has overturned the Federal High Court ruling barring INEC from releasing voter…
Kenya has cancelled airport and energy deals with Adani following US bribery and fraud charges…
Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro and 36 others have been indicted for allegedly attempting a coup…
Republican David McCormick won Pennsylvania Senate seat as Democratic Sen. Bob Casey concedes after recount…
Trudeau's government has announced plans for temporary tax relief, cheques for Canadians amid rising costs…
View Comments
O91 5608 9111 }
O91 5608 9111 }
Some Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale
Mama Africa #17,000 •Tomatoes Rice # *15,000* •Cap Rice #15,000 •My Food #17,000 •Mama Gold #17,500 •Ade Brazil #15,000 •Elephant Gold #15,000 •Royal Umbrella #15,000 Etc.
Golf3= 400,000
Camry Tinny-Light=550,000
Tundra 1,300,000
Toyota Exterra=850,000
Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
Toyota Venza= 1.7million
Toyota Avalon=850,000
Toyota Rav4=950,000
Toyota Prado=1.3million
TOYOTA HILUX=2million
Toyota Sienna=850,000
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
Toyota Corolla=650,000
Toyota Matrix= 700,000
Toyota Highlander=950,000
Toyota Picnic=500,000
Tacoma 1.850,000
Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
Toyota Tundra=1.5million
Toyota Sequola=900,000
BMW 5-series=1.960,000
BMW 3-series=1.640,000
BMW X6=2.670,000
Ford Edge=700,000
Ford Escape=600,000
Honda Elantra=600,000
Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
Dyna Truck 900k
TIPPER Head 6mill
Honda Accord=550,000
Honda CRV=650,000
HONDA CIVIC=500,000
HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
Honda Pilot=850,000
Nissan pathfinder=800,000
Nissan Amanda=750,000
Infinity=950,000
Benz C250=N1.300,000
Benz C300=1.6MILLION
Benz ML350=2 million
Benz ML300=1.5 million
Benz ML550=2.6million
Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.Million
Es330 1.6
Lexus C5 350=950,000
IS250 1m
Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
Is350 2
Lexus Rx350= 2 million
ES350 2mill
Land Rover Discovery ₦3.2Million
Land Rover Freelander ₦3.6Million
Land Range Rover Sport ₦4Million
Acura MDX ₦1.8Million
Pequot 206=350,000
Pequot 406=470,000
Pequot 607=650,000
.....
((09156089111 )