British Royal Navy Patrol Vessel, HMS Trent recently docked in Nigeria’s coastal city of Lagos, as part of the vessel’s deployment to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen cooperation and maritime security.
The River-class Offshore patrol vessel arrived in Lagos on Saturday, Oct. 23, to begin what the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Ben Llewellyn-Jones described , as engagements and support of trade, investment, economic growth and defence objectives working with partners in the Nigerian Navy and Armed Forces.
HMS Trent is on a three month-long deployment to the waters of the Gulf of Guinea for security patrols and a mission to support partners in West Africa, making her the first Royal Navy ship to sail to the region in three years.
The vessel is expected to visit Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia and Cape Verde, and participate in French-led multinational Exercise Grand African Nemo, which will bring together international partners in the area.
In Nigeria, HMS Trent and her Royal Marines of 42 Commando contingent conducted a wide range of activities designed towards improving cooperation, counter-piracy, trade and maritime security.
Personnel of the ship engaged in capacity and proficiency building activities in the area of firefighting skills, prisoner handling, evidence exploitation, equipment and weapons capabilities as well as vessel boarding, search and seizure training.
The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos was quoted to have said “Nigeria’s security and prosperity matters to the UK. The Royal Navy is here because the UK is a committed partner for Nigeria and the wider West African region.”
“We will continue to work with the Nigerian authorities to address illegal activity; improve maritime security; counter-piracy and tackle the Illegal Wildlife Trade.”
The British ship is said to be one of five Royal Navy patrol ships dotted around the world in areas of importance to the United Kingdom.
This is part of the Royal Navy’s Forward Presence programme that seeks to put ships in positions around the world ready to respond to global events.
