Lagos — French Navy has said its involvement in the provision of security in the Gulf of Guinea, is based on partnership for the training of military personnel of countries within the area.

This is contrary to popular belief that foreign countries are parading the territorial areas of countries within the Gulf of Guinea, to protect their selfish interests, because of the large concentration of oil in these areas.

Speaking Tuesday in Lagos, while taking reporters round the ship for the training, Captain of ship, Jules Verne, Commander Tierri Feguta, said the French Navy only concerned itself with the training of Nigerian Navy on non-combatant operation, and not based on protection of Gulf of Guinea.

The French Navy arrived the country two days ago, for the joint training that is expected to last for a month.

As part of the exercise, naval officers and personnel of the two countries would be trained as technicians, engineers, carpenters and in other areas of non-combatant operations.

Feguta said the training would involve 270 naval officers and personnel, including 20 female. "We are not here to protect any territorial area under Gulf of Guinea. We are here strictly on training of Nigerian Navy officers and personnel on non-combatant operations. We are here on training on repair of naval ships and equipment, and I know that everyone of us would gain from the training," he said.

Earlier this year, US Navy embarked on the same training operation for the Nigerian Navy, but critics had it that international countries are coming to the countries under the Gulf of Guinea, for selfish reasons.