The exercise comprising countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Zone E was codenamed “Safe Domain III.”
The Nigerian Navy in a sub-regional exercise with navies of Togo and the Benin Republic has conducted a one-week deployment of air and sea assets to curb criminality in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) waters.
The exercise comprising countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Zone E was codenamed “Safe Domain III.”
SaharaReporters learnt that the operation which began last Monday in Cotonou, Benin Republic saw the deployment of participating ships and helicopters on the high seas for four days carrying out simulations and also preventing criminally minded persons from having access to the maritime space.
Highlighting the gains of the operation at the closing ceremony held at the Naval Base Jetty in Cotonou, the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (MMCC) Director, Commodore Aniedi Aniedu Ibok, noted the importance of harmonising communication systems and involving Maritime Operational Centers (MOCs) in future operations.
Ibok emphasised that the operations would continue despite the closing ceremony of its launch.
He said, “Please note that it is closing ceremony of the launch of OP SAFE DOMAIN III 2024, because the operation continues as the ships and assets return to their individual countries and continue the daily patrols and information sharing and collaboration with Member States.”
According to him, the participating countries deployed four ships, one defender boat, and one helicopter to patrol the high seas during the five-day launch period of the operation-themed ‘Protecting the Blue Economy of ECOWAS Zone E through Maritime Security Collaboration.’
“The ships conducted several maritime drills so as to strengthen their collaboration and interoperability towards the fight against identified illicit activities by nefarious non-state actors that are inimical to the growth of our Blue Economy such as sea robbery, maritime piracy, illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and various types of illegal trafficking of oil, arms, drugs, and human beings as well as smuggling of goods.
“These threats have negatively impacted the exploration of economic resources at sea thereby hampering the maximal harvest of the benefits of our Blue Economy; its economic development and the livelihoods of its local communities.
“The success of this operation is owed to the doggedness of Zone E leadership and the cooperation of the various Chiefs of the Naval Staff, who supported every plan and released their assets accordingly.
“In line with its mission, the zone was able to pool resources of Member States’ navies, promote information exchange and cooperation so as to create a secure, safe and conducive environment for maritime commerce, which will ultimately boost trade and economic growth in the Blue Economy of the subregion.
“This is the whole drive of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) which established the comprehensive Maritime Architecture for ECOWAS maritime environment,” he said.
Commanding Officer Defender Boat (DB) ABUJA, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, who led all participating platforms to sea, noted the operation’s overall success despite communication challenges and technical disruptions.
He recommended continued investment in advanced surveillance technology, strengthening communication infrastructure, and regular joint exercises to improve maritime security.
Udoessien listed the participating vessels as DB Abuja, NNS Kano, Benin Navy Ship Alibore, and Togolese Navy Ship Abuah.
Representatives of both the Togolaise and Beninnois navies expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the operations, noting the need for harmonized communications plan.