Insecurity: UK deploys naval patrol ship to Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea

The Royal Navy patrol ship known as HMS Trent began its sail to the waters of the Gulf of Guinea as she headed for security patrols and a mission to support allies in West Africa.

A statement from the Press and Public Affairs Office of the British High Commission and signed by Ndidiamaka Eze said that the River-class patrol ship would visit Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia and Cape Verde, and will take part in French-led multinational training exercises that will bring together international partners in the region, known as “Exercise Grand African Nemo”.

The statement said that HMS Trent, which is the first Royal Navy vessel to operate in the region for three years, will conduct maritime security patrols as well as support partner navies by helping them to develop key maritime skills and develop plans for future operations in the region.

This deployment is a clear signal of the UK’s commitment to being more persistently engaged in the region, through which more than £6 billion of UK trade passes every year.

The UK’s Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said of the development: “This deployment shows the Integrated Review in action. It demonstrates how a truly Global Britain is stepping up on the world stage to tackle shared international security challenges.

“Working hand-in-hand with our allies we are utilising our forward-deployed Armed Forces to tackle threats at the source, making the world a safer place for all.”

HMS Trent carries onboard a contingent of Royal Marines from 42 Commando, which will train partner forces across the region in skills like boarding and searching of suspicious vessels, as well as evidence handling and medical skills.

As well as delivering training to partner nations, 42 Commando are experts in boarding operations helping fight against illegal activity like piracy, drugs-smuggling and terrorism.

HMS Trent will attend the Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FoGG) G7++ conference in Dakar, which the UK is co-chairing with hosts Senegal. Britain established the group in 2013 as part of the then G8 to coordinate regional maritime security efforts.

HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Thomas Knott, said: “Continuing a year of forward-deployed operations in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, this deployment marks an important return to the region for the Royal Navy demonstrating our commitment to improving Maritime Security in the area.

“We are extremely proud and excited to commence this deployment to what is an exciting new region for HMS Trent. We are looking forward to working with regional partners and also engaging with local communities in an effort to strengthen security.”

UK’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones said: “Nigeria is an important and valued defence partner for the UK in West Africa. Our two countries face many shared threats and we are keen to work with Nigeria to defeat these and to help improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, including in areas such as counter-piracy.”

Vanguard learnt that HMS Trent is one of five Royal Navy patrol ships that are currently operating around the world in areas of critical importance to the UK – from the Indo-Pacific, South Atlantic to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

It was also gathered that the deployment of the patrol ship is part of the Royal Navy’s Forward Presence programme that seeks to put patrol ships in positions around the globe ready to respond to global events.

HMS Trent finished preparations for her patrol to West Africa this week in the waters close to Gibraltar, refreshing skills following a period of maintenance and a rotation of crew.