The Commander, US Naval Forces for Europe and Africa, Admiral Michelle Howard has pledged to support the Nigerian Navy as it continues to defend the country’s territorial waters.

Howard made the remarks in the course of her visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

She described Nigeria a “key player in the fight against illicit maritime activity.”

The Admiral will also meet with Nigerian graduates of US service academies and deliver a presentation on women, peace and security at the Nigerian Defence College.

The visit will allow Howard to talk to Nigeria’s leaders about the significant contributions they can make to confronting security challenges and enhancing stability throughout the region.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and inter-agency partners, to enable enduring relationships and increase vigilance and resilience in Europe and Africa. (TV360 Nigeria)