INTERPOL’s Undertaking AGWE focuses on constructing capacities in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo to counter extra successfully all types of maritime-based crime within the Gulf of Guinea.
Nigerian Forensics Police Officer Samuel Odeh, nationwide knowledgeable who has been skilled and licensed by INTERPOL within the framework of Undertaking AGWE, was among the many contributors. Odeh additionally served because the lead crime scene teacher in the course of the experience change and taught classes on investigation practices, proof assortment and arrest procedures.
“Piracy and hostage taking are prevalent maritime crimes within the Gulf of Guinea. We’re working with the Nigerian Authorities to enact a regulation that can enable these crimes to be prosecuted, and for different Gulf of Guinea nations to switch custody to Nigeria, if they don’t have established legal guidelines in their very own nation,” stated Odeh.
The Nigerian Navy established a devoted Maritime Crime Investigation Desk in Abuja, which offers biometrics of suspects for cross-checking in opposition to INTERPOL’s databases.
INL additionally offers international help to worldwide companions, together with a number of Gulf of Guinea nations, to fight illicit crimes at-sea.
Craig Nixon, INL maritime safety advisor primarily based in Lagos, works carefully with the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA), Nigeria’s federal counter-narcotics police company, to counter piracy, smuggling, and wildlife trafficking within the Gulf of Guinea. Nixon attended the experience change on crime scene administration and guided cooperation discussions between contributors.
“The crime scene preservation and administration instruction is designed to show not solely how you can determine crimes, however how you can prosecute them. We’d like evidenced-based prosecution to deliver perpetrators into the judicial system,” stated Nixon. “Train Obangame Categorical is a pressure multiplier. What they’re studying as we speak will additional the regulation enforcement and prosecution efforts for these kinds of crimes.”
Alongside African companions, U.S. service members additionally participated in sensible demonstrations on fight protection ways and life-saving medical care beneath hearth.
U.S. Coast Guard Lt.j.g. Nicholas Didiano led a simulated vessel boarding on a Nigerian Navy small patrol craft. The demonstration rehearsed vessel entry, clearing and securing, and arrest methods.
“The train is necessary as a result of it permits forces to learn to shield themselves and shield their items and boarding groups. In the event that they encounter any form of illicit exercise, they’ll be higher ready for the danger and menace at hand,” stated Didiano.
African companions discovered the experience change and sensible demonstrations useful for operations that they conduct with their respective nations.
“This train may be very fascinating – rehearsing some strategies we already know, whereas studying new methods is extremely useful on a sensible aspect,” stated Maitre Main (MTM) Hermann Houngue, Benin Navy. “Particularly the self protection methods – it’s important to know them, to guard your self, to do your job – I can’t stress how necessary it’s in a really sensible means.”
OE23, certainly one of three U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) – facilitated regional workouts, offers collaborative alternatives for African and U.S. forces, and worldwide companions to handle shared transnational maritime issues. NAVAF’s ongoing maritime safety cooperation with African companions focuses on overcoming the challenges of maritime security and safety within the area.
The train takes place throughout 5 zones within the southern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Guinea – stretching from the West African island of Cabo Verde to the Central African shores of Angola, together with the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) and Financial Neighborhood of Central African States (ECCAS).
The U.S. shares a standard curiosity with African associate nations in making certain safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as a result of these waters are vital for Africa’s prosperity and entry to world markets.
For greater than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has cast strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
