U.S. Army Special Forces, Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service end 5-week joint training on combating terrorism, piracy in Gulf of Guinea.
The United States (U.S.) Army Third Special Forces Group has ended a five-week long joint training exercise with the Nigerian Navy’s Special Forces unit, the Special Boat (SBS).
The training focused on combating maritme threats such as terrorism and piracy.
The 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, conducts missions within the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) as part of the Special Operations Command, Africa (SOCAFRICA).
A statement by Ms Merrica Heaton, acting U.S. Consulate Political and Economic Chief in the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, the five-week joint training by members of the SBS and the U.S. Army Special Forces team is part of U.S security engagement and assistance.
Ms Heaton said that the training exercise climaxed on Tuesday, July 8. 2021 along the coast of Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.
According to the statement, “the United States Mission to Nigeria is a steadfast partner – helping combat maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea, counter violent extremists in the Northeast and enforce the rule of law throughout the region.”
Heaton noted that the U.S. government works closely with all the services of the Nigerian military to provide technical assistance, equipment and professional exchange and training opportunities.
The training was also described as a prelude to significant partnership events later this year, including the delivery of A-29 Super Tucanos and the U.S. Navy Coast Guard and Marine Corps planning programs in Nigeria beyond pre-COVID levels to build on a longstanding security partnership particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
