U.S. Naval Ship, coast guard cutter Mohawk, arrives in Lagos

The United States Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) on Thursday arrived at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard in Lagos for a scheduled port visit.

The U.S. Consulate, in a statement on Friday, revealed that the Mohawk arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday.

The consulate revealed that during the visit, Mohawk officers will meet with Nigerian Navy leadership at the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Apapa, as well as host ship tours for Nigerian government and military officials.

The U.S. Consul General in Lagos, Will Stevens, stated that the U.S. is committed to supporting the Nigerian Navy in its efforts to both secure its own territorial waters and those of the greater Gulf of Guinea.

According to Will Stevens, “Cooperation and the ability to operate together in the maritime domain are necessary to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to counter piracy, oil bunkering, illegal fishing, and other sea-based illicit activities.”

Stevens and Commander Andrew Pate, Mohawk’s Commanding Officer, met with Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai, the Flag Officer Commanding of Nigeria’s Western Naval Command, to discuss the U.S. and Nigeria’s shared commitment to a safe and secure Gulf of Guinea.

The consulate said that following the port visit, Mohawk would conduct two days of at-sea engagements with the Nigerian Navy to promote maritime security cooperation.

The consulate declared: “Nigeria is a participant in exercise Obangame Express, the largest multinational annual maritime security exercise in West Africa and will host the next iteration in January of 2023.

“Obangame Express encourages countries to work together to address transnational maritime challenges.”

The consulate maintained that the waters surrounding the African continent are crucial for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.