The Federal government has appealed to the United States of America to assist her further check the illegal activities of criminals in the gulf of Guinea. Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I.K.O. Ibrahim who made the appeal in Abuja when he received the Commander of United States Naval Force in Africa Admiral Mark P. Fitzgerald in his office noted that American supports in the region have tremendously helped to reduce criminality in the gulf of Guinea.

“Your supports have encouraged us a lot and we have brought the ugly situation in gulf of Guinea under normal control”, adding that the presence of US ship had also impacted positively on the training of Nigerian Naval officers who on their own are now capable to trace ships that engaged in oil bunkering in recent time.

Admiral Ibrahim said that the vast nature of the country’s coastal line has made it difficult to police. He said the predicament of the country is not helped by the fact that things that happen in the gulf of Guinea easily become international issues. The chief of Naval Staff assured the visitor that American investments in Nigeria would not be threatened with enhanced Nigerian Navy capability.

Expressing his courtesy, Admiral Mark Fitzgerald who also doubled as the Commander US Naval Forces in Europe said the US will continue to assist Nigeria and African Countries to find solution to their pressing needs. Nigeria as a leading country in Africa would be assisted in her quest to find an African solution in the gulf of Guinea, he added.

He assured Nigerians that by working and training its naval force together they would develop the capacity to operate more effectively in the sea and protect the country interest and its vast resources. It is important that Nigerian people realized the importance of the sea and the fact that her vast resources are protected, he said.