Spain has agreed to partner with Nigeria on maritime security, according the Spanish envoy in the West African country.

Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria Alvero Alguilar on Tuesday told reporters in Nigeria's commercial hub city Lagos about the cooperation during a visit of a Spanish Navy warship "MV Rayo" to the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos.

The ambassador also expressed his country's readiness to support the Nigerian Navy in terms of training of its personnel in the fight against piracy.

Alvero said Spain was among the seven countries recently invited to witness a maritime security summit in Yaounde, Cameroon, where countries of the Gulf of Guinea including Nigeria met and agreed to eradicate piracy-related problems.

He said operations of the Spanish Navy in the Gulf of Guinea region had reduced sea robbery, piracy and kidnapping, adding that the Nigerian Navy also played the same role.

"There is no doubt that the issue of terrorism is a source of concern to us, but in no way can we compare the situation in Nigeria with that Somalia in that regard," he added.

"It is not as dangerous as in Somalia," Alvero said.

Earlier, Captain Abraham Adaji of the Nigerian Navy said piracy was not limited to Nigeria, but extended to some other African nations.

He said the Nigerian Navy would use the opportunity of a joint exercise with its Spanish counterpart during the visit to share experiences.

The visiting ship arrived in Lagos on June 30 and is expected to depart on July 3. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)