By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international maritime security cooperation following a courtesy visit by a United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to the 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 outlined the Command’s strategic role in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Rear Admiral Mustapha noted that the Western Naval Command remains pivotal in supporting security operations within Nigeria’s waters and across the Gulf of Guinea, a region long challenged by maritime threats.
Central to the discussions was the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC), described as a key asset in enhancing maritime domain awareness through real-time monitoring, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operational responses.
The naval chief explained that RMAC has significantly improved the Navy’s ability to combat sea robbery, crude oil theft, and other illicit maritime activities, thereby ensuring safer shipping routes.
He further recalled that the RMAC played a decisive role in curbing piracy in Nigerian waters in 2022, a development that led to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy list.
Rear Admiral Mustapha emphasised that sustained collaboration with international partners, particularly the United States, is vital for advancing maritime security goals and addressing emerging threats.
He added that such partnerships provide critical opportunities for capacity building, technical assistance, and intelligence exchange necessary for effective maritime operations.
In his remarks, the head of the U.S. delegation, Mr. Adam Barker, commended the Nigerian Navy’s proactive efforts and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to continued cooperation in strengthening maritime security and enhancing collective responses in the Gulf of Guinea.
