The United Kingdom (UK) Royal Navy cruiser HMS Trent has finished its visit to Nigeria, where it supported maritime security in the area and assisted the Nigerian Navy in building vital skills to combat marine crimes like piracy and illicit trafficking.
As part of its regional mission to assist allies and partners in suppressing criminal activities like piracy and illicit trafficking, the HMS Trent had made a second visit to Lagos, Nigeria.
The Royal Marines boarding squad closely practised vessel boarding, search and seizure, and firefighting demonstrations with the Nigerian Navy throughout the ship's five-day stay in Nigeria.
Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer at the British Deputy High Commission, said in a statement that HMS Trent and 42 Commando will travel to Ghana after departing Lagos to continue educating Gulf of Guinea friends in order to stabilise larger parts of West Africa.
"It has been a pleasure to watch the deepening of the relationship between my ship's company and our colleagues and collaborators in the Nigerian Navy," said Commander Tim Langford, the commanding officer of HMS Trent. Together, we can accomplish so much more, and the integrated training we've completed over the past few days will enable our two countries to collaborate more closely on enhancing marine security in the Gulf of Guinea.
A Maritime Domain Awareness Exchange Programme was held at HMS Trent in addition to the training sessions, and senior leadership members of the Nigerian Navy were present.
"We are thrilled to witness a new phase of cooperation between the UK's Royal Navy and 42 Commando and the Nigerian Navy," said Richard Montgomery, the UK's High Commissioner to Nigeria. This reaffirms the UK's determination to work with Nigeria's military forces to combat illicit maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea.
"We are grateful to Commander Tim Langford and the entire HMS Trent crew for travelling to Lagos, Nigeria. I wish you luck as you work to combat piracy, the trade in illegal wildlife, and marine security in general.
-By Abiola Agu | thetransporteronline24| Nigeria
