Mariam Sanni
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening operational collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance maritime security and safeguard strategic trade routes within the Gulf of Guinea.
The CNS stated this during a meeting with the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Saylem Saeed Alshamsi.
This was made known in statement by the Director Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho in Abuja .
Discussions during the engagement focused on maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding, naval technological transfer and coordinated efforts against piracy, crude oil theft, sea robbery and other transnational maritime threats affecting the Gulf of Guinea.
Ambassador Alshamsi commended the Nigerian Navy for its sustained operational successes in securing regional waters and protecting critical maritime infrastructure.
Particularly, he noted the strategic impact of the Nigerian Navy operation, Operation DELTA SENTINEL, highlighting the recent seizure of a large cache of crude oil and petroleum products by Nigerian Navy troops.
The Ambassador further noted that increasing trade and commercial activities between Nigeria and international partners further highlighted the importance of a secure Gulf of Guinea to guarantee the uninterrupted flow of maritime commerce.
He emphasized the need for stronger international maritime cooperation to sustain regional economic stability and confidence in global shipping._
In his remarks, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas highlighted the construction of NNS KADA in Sharjah as a major symbol of the growing partnership between the Nigerian Navy and the UAE.
The CNS stated that the Nigerian Navy looked forward to deeper cooperation in naval technology transfer to deepen indigenous shipbuilding, to enhance fleet readiness and ensure maritime security across the Gulf of Guinea.
