Nigeria’s newly acquired landing ship and logistics vessel NNS KADA has been deployed for strategic sealift capacity in support of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea Bissau.
This deployment is Kada’s first national assignment since she arrived Nigeria from the United Arab Emirates on 27, May 2022.
Onboard NNS Kada, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai disclosed that the vessel ferried military wares and logistics for the Nigerian Contingent (NIGCON) of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea Bissau, as part of Nigeria’s efforts in strengthening and enhancing security in the West African Sub-Region.
An ECOWAS contingent was deployed to Guinea Bissau under the auspices of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Force after the President of Guinea Bissau, President Umaro Sisoco Embalo escaped a coup attempt in February 2022.
Troops of Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana and Ivory Coast make up the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea Bissau with one-year renewable mandate to stabilize the country.
NNS KADA is therefore embarking on the voyage to deliver the outstanding logistics and stores of the NIGCON. By this effort, the capability of the new ship will be brought to bear in support of the ECOWAS mandate and in line with Nigeria’s Foreign Policy objective which focuses on Africa.
NNS Kada was officially handed over to the Nigerian Navy on 30 March this year after being ordered in May 2018 and launched on 7 June 2021. The vessel was launched on 30 September 2021.
Damen Shipyard began building the LST 100 (LST 1314) towards the end of 2019, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, attending the keel-laying ceremony at Damen’s shipyard in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Based on Damen’s LST 100 design, the ship can be used for a range of duties including strategic transport of equipment and troops, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and to project maritime security into the Gulf of Guinea.
The Nigerian navy has placed an order for a second vessel of the same class.