The Nigeria Navy says it will participate in a joint naval exercise led by the United States Africa Command (US Africom) targeted at addressing emerging cases of sea piracy in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Rear Adm. Samsom Bura, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, disclosed this on Thursday at a news conference aboard naval warship, NNS Kada, in Onne, Rivers.

The Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA has successfully eliminated sea piracy within the nation’s waters, but the problem persists in other GoG countries.

Bura said that the upcoming exercise named ‘Obangame Express 2024’ aims to enhance security in the GoG region and foster collaboration among navies within the regional block and allied nations.

“Exercise Obangame Express is an annual multinational maritime exercise initiated by US Africom under the auspices of the US Naval Forces Africa in the GoG.

“The exercise, commencing on May 10, will feature Nigeria and other countries from Africa, Europe and North America participating simultaneously, with the Republic of Gabon serving as the host country.

“The objectives include promoting regional cooperation, improving maritime security, and enhancing the capabilities of the participating navies,” he added.

Bura explained that the Nigerian Navy would conduct the drill within Nigeria’s territorial waters and the GoG from May 10 to 17.

“The exercise will involve in-port training and at-sea scenarios like anti-piracy operations, gunnery exercises, visit board and search and seizure operations, and communication and information sharing among others.

“International and local partners, including a Spanish warship, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, NIMASA, and members of the media, will participate in the exercise.

“The Nigeria Navy will deploy ships, aircraft, Special Boat Service teams (special forces), and maritime domain awareness facilities,” he added.

The Flag officer reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to leveraging the exercise to combat crimes within Nigeria’s maritime area. 

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the speedy completion of all the uncompleted Inland Dry Ports across the country, to enhance commerce, international business and create job opportunities for Nigerians.

Tinubu gave the order at the inauguration of the Inland Dry Port, in Funtua, saying that the inland dry ports would assist in the diversification of the economy, in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, directed the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Shippers Council to ensure the full utilisation of the dry ports; to decongest the seaports and enhance the ease of doing international business.

Tinubu said that the inauguration of the Funtau inland dry port was a step forward for the Nigerian economy development.

He said that infrastructure would also go a long way in creating job opportunities for the people in that part of the country.

The president said that the Federal Government had embarked on massive rehabilitation of roads, to facilitate the movement of goods from seaports to the dry ports located in the hinterlands.

He, therefore, urged the Katsina State Government and the host community to consider the facility as a national asset by safeguarding it, for the benefit of the country in general.

In his remarks, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adebayo Oyetola, said that Funtua Inland Dry Port was among the six dry ports that were approved by the government, and completed by the present administration.

Oyetola said that it would assist to facilitate trade with Niger Republic, Chad and other sister African countries.

He, therefore, urged all the stakeholders to take advantage of the port by patronising it.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Pius Akutah, said that with the utilisation of the facility, people would begin to see a greater volume of trade in the region.

Akutah assured that the council would ensure that the dry port’s management conducts activities following the laid down laws.

Earlier, the Chairman, Funtua Inland Dry Port, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, said it would facilitate economic development in the area and the country in general.

Mutallab said that it would open a lot of prospects and opportunities to the entire North-West zone, as people would come to the town to work.

He thanked the Federal Government for the completion of the project, which would also improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state government.

Also, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State thanked the Federal Government for citing the project in Funtua.

Radda urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the rail lines from Zaria to Funtua, for seamless transportation of goods from seaports to the area.

He also urged it to rehabilitate the moribund textile industry, to assist in creating more job opportunities.

The governor further urged the Federal Government to extend the AKK project from Zaria to Funtua, to attract more investments.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, says it has seized contraband goods worth N380.37 million in Duty Paid Value (DPV) in the last three weeks.

The new Area Comptroller, Mr James Ojo, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abeokuta.

Ojo said that the items were intercepted at different locations within the command’s area of operation through intensive strategies and concerted efforts of its intelligence unit.

He said that the command also made N14. 628 million in revenue through baggage assessment and auction sales of petroleum products.

Ojo listed the items seized by the command to include 90 sacks and 1,309 parcels of cannabis sativa, 1,596 pieces of foreign used pneumatic tyres, and 2,922 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg.

Others were 32 bales of used clothes, 1,603 cartoons of frozen poultry products and 22,600 litres of petrol among others.

The area comptroller said that the seized items had adverse effects on the well-being of the citizenry, especially the cannabis sativa, pneumatic tyres and foreign rice.

“The cannabis sativa has a devastating effect on the lives of its consumers, especially the youths.

“In addition, the rise in the abuse is of great concern with Nigerian society and a threat to our national security,” he said.

Ojo said that most of the foreign-used pneumatic tyres were not deemed unsuitable for our highways because a significant number of them had exceeded their recommended lifespan from the manufacturing dates.

The area comptroller said that the persistent smuggling of rice would continue to hamper the nation’s economic growth and development.

He reaffirmed the dedication of the command to duty and commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people, adding that NCS remain resolute in carrying out its mandate with utmost patriotism.

Ojo applauded the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team for their support and for creating an enabling environment for personnel to work.

He also commended gallant officers of the command and critical stakeholders for helping the service achieve its goals.