A Royal Navy vessel, HMS Trent, arrived in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday, September 11, 2023.
The ship is visiting Nigeria for the second time as part of a regional mission to assist friends and partners in combating criminal activities like piracy and illicit trafficking.
The visit is part of the UK’s commitment to supporting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Gulf of Guinea is a major shipping route for oil and gas, and it is also a hotbed of piracy and other maritime crime.
The UK is working with partners in the region to improve maritime security and to deter criminal activity.
According to the HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford, he said, “The Royal Navy has a long history of engagement within the region and an enduring partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria. My team is really looking forward to the opportunity to work with their Nigerian counterparts and build on the relationships established when we visited Lagos in 2021.”
HMS Trent is a River-class offshore patrol vessel equipped with a variety of weapons and sensors, including a Puma surveillance drone.
The ship is also carrying a team of Royal Marines who are trained to board and search ships suspected of illegal activity.
During its visit to Lagos, HMS Trent will conduct joint exercises with the Nigerian Navy and will also provide training to Nigerian sailors. The ship will also participate in a maritime security conference.
