Navy Eyes Danish Support for Gulf Security Task Force
The Nigerian Navy has sought Denmark’s support for a proposed multinational maritime security framework aimed at strengthening safety and stability in the Gulf of Guinea.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, made the call while receiving the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, at Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Abbas said the initiative, known as the Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), is expected to commence operations in mid-2026 as a coalition of like-minded nations to enhance maritime domain awareness, improve joint response capability and consolidate gains against piracy and other maritime threats in the region.
He noted that the Gulf of Guinea remains critical to global shipping and energy supply routes, stressing that Nigeria, as a key coastal state, is committed to ensuring a secure maritime environment to sustain international trade.
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The naval chief also highlighted growing defence relations between Nigeria and Denmark, particularly in maritime security, and called for deeper collaboration to support the operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the task force.
“As we build a coordinated multinational architecture, partnerships with countries like Denmark are vital to strengthening collective security outcomes in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
Abbas further invited the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s upcoming International Fleet Review, describing it as an opportunity to deepen interoperability and strategic naval cooperation.
In his remarks, Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy, noting that bilateral cooperation has improved significantly in recent years.
He commended Nigeria’s progress in maritime security and expressed Denmark’s readiness to support initiatives that promote stability and secure shipping routes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation to ensure a safe and secure maritime domain in the region, amid ongoing efforts to curb piracy, illegal fishing and other transnational maritime crimes.
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