By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Navy has reinforced its commitment to international maritime security cooperation following a courtesy visit by a United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Western Naval Command Headquarters in Lagos.
The delegation, led by Mr Adam Barker, was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, who highlighted the Command’s critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting security initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea.
During the engagement, Rear Admiral Mustapha underscored the significance of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) as a strategic asset for enhancing maritime domain awareness through real-time monitoring, information sharing, and coordinated operational responses. He noted that RMAC has greatly enhanced the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to combat sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other illegal maritime activities, thereby making maritime trade routes safer and more secure. He noted that the RMAC played a key role in the defeat of piracy in Nigerian waters in 2022, leading the International Maritime Bureau to remove Nigeria from its piracy list.
The FOC emphasised that sustained collaboration with international partners, particularly the United States, remains critical to advancing maritime security objectives. He added that such engagements provide opportunities for capacity building, technical support, and intelligence exchange necessary to address evolving maritime threats within the region.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured the RMAC Complex and received a comprehensive operational brief on its capabilities and contributions to regional maritime security.
In his remarks, the Head of Delegation, Mr Adam Barker, commended the Nigerian Navy’s proactive approach to maritime security and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continued cooperation, particularly in strengthening maritime awareness and enhancing collective security frameworks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The engagement also provided a platform for both sides to exchange perspectives on emerging maritime threats and identify practical areas for deeper operational collaboration.
