By Chiemelie Ezeobi
As part of this year's International Maritime Sea Exercise, Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS) THUNDER and BURUTU yesterday arrived Doula, Cameroun, for the exercise tagged Obangame Express.
According to the the Communication Officer Western Naval Command (WNC), Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara, the sea exercise will involve 15 nations including Nigeria, USA, Spain, Belgium and other nations bordering the Gulf of Guinea.
The Nigerian ships left Port Harcourt for Cameroun on Beruauru17 for the exercise which will take place from 25 – 27 February 2013. The Nigerian Airforce Maritime Patrol Aircraft which will form part of the Nigeria Contingent is expected to join the Contingent before the commencement of the exercise today.
The Nigerian Contingent was received on arrival by the Nigerian Defence Attaché, Navy Captain Patrick Chibueze Nwatu, the representative of the Consul General of Nigeria in Doula, Mr Obed Aluko, the Deputy Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Michael Onoja and other Embassy Staff.
During his visit to the ships the Defence Adviser Captain Patrick Nwatu said he was delighted to receive the Nigerian Navy Contingents on behalf of the Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Her Excellency Ambassador Hadiza Mustapha as well as the entire staff of the Nigerian Embassy and Nigerian Residence in Cameroon.
He said Nigeria’s participation in the annual sea exercise is a welcome idea as it will enhance the Nigerian Navy’s performance of her statutory duty of policing the nation’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea as well as showcase Nigeria’s capability in maritime defence.
The Nigerian Contingent Commander, who is also the Commanding Officer, NNS THUNDER, Captain Adeseye Ayobanjo, said the exercise is a good avenue of training, exchange of ideas and for the security of the Gulf of Guinea.
Meanwhile, Omodara said the two Nigerian ships carried out patrols, training exercises including search and rescue as well as boarding and interrogation while enroute Cameroun.
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