Determined to checkmate the spate of criminality in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, the British Government, on Tuesday, deployed a naval patrol ship to Nigeria to assist the country in tackling maritime and other security challenges facing it.
The Royal Navy patrol ship, known as HMS Trent, began its sail to the waters of the Gulf of Guinea as she headed for security patrols and a mission to support allies in West Africa.
A statement from the Press and Public Affairs Office of the British High Commission, signed by Ndidiamaka Eze, stated that the River-class patrol ship would visit Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia and Cape Verde, and will take part in French-led multi-national training exercises that will bring together international partners in the region, known as Exercise Grand African Nemo.
According to the statement, the HMS Trent, which is the first Royal Navy vessel to operate in the region for three years, will conduct maritime security patrols as well as support partner navies by helping them to develop key maritime skills and develop plans for future operations in the region.
This deployment is a clear signal of the UKs commitment to being more persistently engaged in the region, through which more than 6 billion of UK trade passes every year.
The HMS Trent carries onboard a contingent of Royal Marines from 42 Commando, which will train partner forces across the region in skills like boarding and searching of suspicious vessels, as well as evidence handling and medical skills.
As well as delivering training to partner nations, 42 Commando are experts in boarding operations helping fight against illegal activity like piracy, drugs-smuggling and terrorism.
HMS Trent will attend the Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FoGG) G7++ conference in Dakar, which the UK is co-chairing with hosts Senegal. Britain established the group in 2013 as part of the then G-8 to coordinate regional maritime security efforts.
It was learnt that HMS Trent is one of five Royal Navy patrol ships that are currently operating around the world in areas of critical importance to the UK from the Indo-Pacific, South Atlantic to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
It was also gathered that the deployment of the patrol ship is part of the Royal Navys Forward Presence programme that seeks to put patrol ships in positions around the globe ready to respond to global events.
The ship reportedly finished preparations for its patrol to West Africa this week in the waters close to Gibraltar, refreshing skills following a period of maintenance and a rotation of crew.
