Nigerian Navy, Russia conduct joint maritime exercises

Russia’s training ship Perekop has held two-day joint drills with the Nigerian Navy after a port visit to Lagos, then sailed on to Benin.

Russia’s Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop has held two-day joint naval drills with the Nigerian Navy before sailing to Benin, the fleet’s press service said, according to RT.

The exercises, which followed the vessel’s port visit to Lagos, involved the Nigerian Navy patrol vessel Deep Blue Abuja and an AW-139 helicopter.

Crews practised coordinated ship movements, navigation safety and keeping safe distances at sea.

The drills came after talks in Lagos on November 6 between Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, commander of Nigeria’s Western Naval Command, and a Russian delegation led by Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Sytnik.

“Discussions focused on naval training, professional development and possible joint training activities, with emphasis on practical learning and the exchange of maritime experiences between personnel of both navies,” the Nigerian Navy said.

The Perekop, now in Cotonou, is on a training voyage that has included stops in Cameroon, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Seychelles. It is scheduled to end on December 9 after 20 port calls.