The UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel, RFA Lyme Bay, arrived at Lagos’ Premier Port, Apapa Quays, as part of an ongoing UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership. This visit is integral to a broader West African Defence Engagement initiative, aimed at enhancing regional maritime security and collaboration.
Commander Jonathan Howe, the UK’s Deputy Defence Adviser to Nigeria, highlighted that this docking marks the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s maritime security. “This deployment demonstrates the UK’s dedication to empowering Nigeria against threats like piracy and violent extremism,” Howe stated, adding that the UK is committed to addressing shared international security challenges in partnership with the Nigerian government.
Captain James Wingrove, commanding officer of RFA Lyme Bay, expressed optimism about the vessel’s joint training exercises with the Nigerian Navy. These exercises will see the ship’s crew, along with Royal Marines boarding and search teams, conduct training sessions and interoperability drills alongside Nigerian counterparts to improve maritime capabilities.
During its time in Lagos, RFA Lyme Bay will be involved in a series of Defence Engagement events. This includes guided ship tours, capability demonstrations, and formal gatherings with Nigerian dignitaries. The exercises will culminate in a large-scale maritime security operation involving Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Nigerian forces off the Nigerian coast, focusing on building skills and operational synergy across naval forces.
