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US to Collaborate with Nigeria, Others to Harness Full Potentials of Atlantic Ocean
US to Collaborate with Nigeria, Others to Harness Full Potentials of Atlantic Ocean
By: Michael Mike
United States has expressed her willingness to collaborate with Nigeria and other countries in the Atlantic Ocean region to harness the economic potentials that the ocean presents.
Speaking to selected journalists in Abuja on Tuesday night, the Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Ambassador Jessye Lapenn who was in the country to further cement relations between Nigeria and United States on Blue Economy and Maritime Issues, said her home government was ready to deployed equipment and resources to ensure peace and safety in and around the Atlantic Ocean.
She noted that the challenges associated with piracy and insecurity on the Atlantic Ocean would be soon be a thing of the past as all the countries in the Atlantic Ocean Treaty would work together to ensure that there is peace and growth of commercial activities on the Atlantic Ocean.
She disclosed that during her visit to the country she was presented with the opportunity of meeting key decision makers in Nigeria’s maritime industry, explaining that it was a great decision that a ministry was created to take charge of the nation’s blue economy.
Thirty-two coastal Atlantic countries across four continents have recently adopted a Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation launching the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The new multilateral forum brought together an unprecedented number of coastal Atlantic countries across Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
This Partnership is the first grouping to span both the North and South Atlantic and address a broad range of issues, from economic development to environmental protection to science and technology. It is also the first time that so many Atlantic countries have come together to establish a forum through which they can work together on a more regular basis and to lay down, via the Declaration, a set of shared principles for the Atlantic region, such as a commitment to an open Atlantic free from interference, coercion, or aggressive action.
The recent Declaration builds on last year’s Joint Statement on Atlantic Cooperation, which started a process to explore deeper cooperation in the region. It was the product of that process and intensive diplomacy by the White House and the State Department.
Coastal Atlantic countries share direct and interconnected interests in the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is the world’s most heavily traveled ocean with critical trade routes and global energy reserves.
The World Bank had estimated that the ocean contributes $1.5 trillion annually to the global economy—and expects this figure to double by 2030.
Sustainable ocean economy sectors are estimated to generate almost 50 million jobs in Africa and to contribute $21 billion to Latin American GDP.
Meanwhile, challenges like illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; natural disasters; and illicit trafficking threaten this economy. It is however recognized that no country alone can solve the cross-boundary challenges in the Atlantic region or fully address the opportunities that it presents.
The Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation seeks to usher in a new chapter in regional cooperation, forging deeper connections across Atlantic countries on four continents, with the purpose of the Partnership being twofold: to enable Atlantic countries to expand cooperation on a range of shared goals and to uphold a set of shared principles for Atlantic cooperation.
The Partnership is expected to give member countries a new platform to work together on issues such as science and technology, sustainable ocean economy, and climate change. Participating countries also endorsed a Plan of Action outlining the first phase of work this new grouping will undertake, including scientific cooperation and shared research, information and maritime awareness, and development of a cadre of young Atlantic scientists. The Partnership will convene regularly and establish working groups to carry out this work. To the greatest extent possible, the Partnership will collaborate with and build on existing regional initiatives.
The participating countries include Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Spain, Togo, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
US to Collaborate with Nigeria, Others to Harness Full Potentials of Atlantic Ocean
Several terrorists killed as Air Force destroys enclave in Sambisa Forest air strike
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have eliminated several terrorists following a precision air interdiction mission conducted on a known terrorist enclave at Yuwe in the Sambisa Forest general area.
Military sources said the operation was carried out on April 19 at about 5:45 p.m. by the Phantom Formation in collaboration with the Grey Raptor platform in support of battlefield air interdiction operations.
The mission, was launched following credible intelligence and confirmatory intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) that revealed active terrorist presence and fortified structures, including suspected bunkers within the area.
Upon arrival over the target location in the Sambisa Forest axis of Sambisa Forest, the air crew identified designated targets and engaged them with precision munitions.
Security sources said the strike successfully destroyed multiple terrorist logistics structures, including shelters and operational hideouts, while several terrorists were killed in the attack.
The operation is part of sustained air and ground offensives aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their supply chains, and denying them freedom of movement within the theatre of operations.
Military high command reiterated that ongoing joint operations are designed to maintain pressure on terrorist elements and ensure the gradual restoration of stability across affected areas.
They further assured that intelligence-led air strikes will continue in coordination with ground forces to dismantle remaining terrorist networks and enclaves.
Several terrorists killed as Air Force destroys enclave in Sambisa Forest air strike
One killed by Fulani bandit in isolated attack along Sabon Gida axis in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A 32-year-old man, identified as Mr Gideon Luka from Mangu but resident in Sabon Gida, has been killed in an isolated attack along Sabon Gida axis in Gyel District of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops of Operation Steadfast Peace (OPEP) were alerted to the incident and swiftly mobilised to the scene, where the victim was discovered with machete injuries on the forehead and stomach.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Dogara Peter, who was with the deceased before the incident, the attack occurred on April 19 at about 7:00 p.m. when both men were riding on a motorcycle from Sabon Gida to SOT area in Gyel District.
The eyewitness said they were ambushed near Sabon Gida Primary School by two unidentified youths, one of whom was reportedly armed with a stick.
He explained that he managed to escape during the attack and initially believed his companion had also fled the scene.
However, residents later launched a search in the early hours of the morning and discovered the victim’s body.
Security sources confirmed that the victim was evacuated for assessment, while troops extended condolences to the family and urged residents not to take the law into their own hands.
They added that preliminary investigation had commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
One killed by Fulani bandit in isolated attack along Sabon Gida axis in Plateau
News
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits have killed one person and injured three others in an attack on Shonong community in Bachi District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a sustained reprisal attack linked to an earlier livestock-related incident.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 8:40 p.m. on April 19 when the armed men invaded the community and opened fire on residents.
The sources said the assault was believed to be in retaliation over the killing of nine livestock in the area, an incident that had heightened tensions between farming and herding communities in the locality.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) deployed in the area reportedly came under fire while responding to the attack and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, forcing them to withdraw after a heavy exchange of fire.
Reinforcement teams were later deployed and moved into the community to stabilise the situation and restore order.
According to the sources, the attackers killed a woman identified as Mrs Fibi Solomon, while three others — Mr Solomon, Master Jacob Solomon and Miss Jacobeth Solomon — sustained gunshot wounds.
The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Riyom for treatment, alongside the remains of the deceased.
Troops also rescued 12 civilians comprising three men, six women and three children, who were relocated to nearby Fang village for safety.
Security sources added that troops had intensified pursuit operations to track down the fleeing attackers, while the general area remained calm but tense.
One killed, three injured as gunmen attack Plateau community in reprisal over livestock incident
Troops neutralise 3 terrorists, recover rifles and motorcycles in Babbangida fighting patrol
Several terrorists killed as Air Force destroys enclave in Sambisa Forest air strike
One killed by Fulani bandit in isolated attack along Sabon Gida axis in Plateau
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