An annual multi-national maritime exercise codenamed “Obangame Express” is set to kick-off on Thursday in Nigeria.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Navy, Suleman Dahun, in a statement signed on behalf of the chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, said that the Exercise is sponsored by the U.S Africa Command and will be conducted in phases within the territorial waters of the participating nations.

Dahun explained that the exercise is designed “to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.”

According to the statement, 30 nations are expected to participate in this year’s exercise including Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Denmark.

Others include: Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Norway, Mauritania, Portugal and Republic of Congo.

Also, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, South Africa, Togo, Turkey, the Netherlands, and the United States, along with regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, are scheduled to be part of the exercise.

“The Nigerian phase of Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS is scheduled for 24 – 28 March 2017 and will be conducted in the nation’s waters,” Naval spokesman Dahun stated.

“Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA, Nigerian Navy Ship CENTENARY, Nigerian Navy Ship SAGBAMA and 1 helicopter will be participating in the Exercise along with a French Navy ship, JACOUBET, which will sail into the Nigerian waters from Cameroon.

“The ships will perform several exercises as will be presented by the exercise scenario,” he added.

Dahun explained that the purpose of exercise ‘OBANGAME EXPRESS’ is “to create realistic scenarios that reflect past piracy incidents whereby a hijacked vessel will transit from one territory to another.”

“Maritime Operations Centres (MOCs) during the Exercise will be challenged to recognize these illicit acts appropriately and share with other MOCs.

“Additionally, the Exercise will test each individual maritime force to patrol their Exclusive Economic Zones and detect and prosecute illegal activity accordingly,” the statement read.