Maritime

EU Commends Nigeria Over Win Against Piracy …As Japan, Korea Back Deep Blue Project

Published

4 years ago

April 11, 2022

The European Union (EU) has commended Nigerian Government for providing leadership in the Gulf of Guinea in the war against criminality in the maritime sector.
EU, through its Senior Coordinator for the Gulf of Guinea, Amb. Nicolas Martinez, also said Nigeria is winning the war against piracy at the Gulf of Guinea as these efforts have yielded desired results.
This commendation came at the end of a working visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by the EU delegation which inspected assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the deep blue project.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by Assistant Director,Public Relations, NIMASA, Mr Osagie Edward, Amb. Martinez noted that the EU remains a committed partner to the Gulf of Guinea region and would continue to provide extensive and targeted assistance to strengthen the critical features of the Yaoundé security architecture, while cementing the long-standing relationship between ECOWAS member states and the EU.
“We support Nigeria’s leadership in the regional quest to end piracy and other maritime crimes.
“You can count on the EU as we are fully supportive of the Yaoundé Infrastructure. We urge Nigeria to share experience with other countries in the region.
“It is obvious from the results so far that Nigeria, providing leadership for other countries, is winning the war against piracy”, he said.
Also Speaking, Director General, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted that the recent removal of Nigeria from the piracy list by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) was a result of collective efforts of various stakeholders within and outside of the country.
“It is not yet time to celebrate. Now the focus for us at NIMASA is sustainability.
“The improved intelligence gathering and sharing amongst all stakeholders played a major role in the results we are witnessing now.
“Our Deep Blue Project, the SPOMO Act, enacted by the National Assembly, the Convictions of criminals under the SPOMO Act, the commitment of the Nigerian Navy and other military arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces, not forgetting the support from the international community, all led to the reduction of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea”, he said.
Jamoh said NIMASA is already looking ahead in her quest to attain sustainability.
“We are working on an International Maritime Sustainability Conference which we will be hosting in Abuja later this year. Also, a comprehensive National Maritime policy for Nigeria is in the pipeline.
Commenting on the Deep Blue Project, Jamoh disclosed that the Japanese Government has pledged $2.4 million Dollars to support the Deep Blue Project, just as the Korean Government has donated a warship to NIMASA to add to the fleet of the Deep Blue Project.
The Deep Blue Project, otherwise known as the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Defence while being implemented by NIMASA. Its main objective is to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.

Maritime

MWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos

Published

2 weeks ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has raised alarm over poor policing of Lagos Port waterfronts

The President General MWUN Francis Bunu said this when

members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) visited the union’s headquarters ahead of the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day.

He described attacks on vessels at berth as unacceptable in a regulated port environment, stressing that such incidents undermined confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, marine police are mandated to secure berthed vessels through effective patrols and surveillance across port waterfronts.

“Why will a vessel berth and people come across the water in numbers to attack it?.

“These vessels are foreign-owned. How do they want Nigeria to be viewed in the international community?” Bunu said

The President said such breaches revealed lapses in coordination among security agencies, warning that, “urgent action was needed to restore confidence.

“Somebody is certainly not doing their job. We cannot have these attacks without decisive intervention from responsible agencies,”

Bunu reacted to a recent breach at Eko Support Terminal, where unidentified assailants reportedly attacked a berthed vessel last week.

He said the incident heightened concerns among ship operators and port users about safety within Nigerian ports.

The MWUN President warned that repeated attacks at berths could discourage international shipping lines and worsen Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.

He called for stronger security presence around port berths and waterfronts, stressing that such insecurity raises broader concerns about territorial waters.

Bunu urged security agencies and port authorities to review surveillance and patrol systems to prevent further attacks and reassure global operators.

Earlier, President of SCAN,Mr Moses Ebosele, commended Bunu for protecting workers’ interests and supporting industry growth.

Ebosele said the visit was part of preparations for the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day celebration organised by the association.

He appealed for support from maritime workers to ensure the success of the event.

Ebosele said this year’s celebration would emphasise environmentally friendly practices and modern technologies in Nigerian seaports.

According to him, the theme, ‘Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,’ will guide discussions among key maritime stakeholders.

He added, the initiative aimed to improve environmental performance while sustaining economic viability and maritime trade.

Ebosele said participants would also explore dockworkers’ contributions to the economy and strategies for strengthening their role in a green economy.

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

Nigerian Navy Plans CMTF To Safeguard GOG

Published

2 weeks ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy has stepped up efforts to strengthen regional maritime security with plans to establish a Combined Maritime Task Force (CMTF), positioning it as a multinational initiative to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea GOG

Navy said the collaboration would enhance global shipping safety.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said this in a statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information and made available to Newsmen

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas who received the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jen Ole Bach Hansen, at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in driving a coordinated multinational maritime security framework in the Gulf of Guinea, a critical corridor for international trade.

Abbas stressed the region remains vital to global shipping, noting that countries like Denmark depend significantly on its sea lanes for commerce.

Vice Admiral Abbas disclosed that the proposed CMTF, expected to commence operations by mid-2026, would bring together “like-minded nations” to improve maritime domain awareness, boost joint response capabilities, and consolidate recent gains against piracy and other maritime threats in the region.

He called for robust Danish support in both the operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the initiative, describing such collaboration as crucial to maintaining security and stability within the Gulf of Guinea.

The Naval chief also extended an invitation to the Danish Navy to participate in the Nigerian Navy’s forthcoming International Fleet Review, a move aimed at strengthening interoperability and deepening naval cooperation between both countries.

Earlier Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to expanding its defence and maritime partnership with Nigeria under its Africa Strategy.

He noted that bilateral relations between both countries, particularly in maritime security, have witnessed significant progress since 2024.

The envoy acknowledged Nigeria’s strides in improving maritime security and expressed Denmark’s readiness to deepen collaboration in pursuit of shared security objectives in the Gulf of Guinea.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to sustained strategic cooperation, with a shared goal of ensuring a secure and stable maritime environment that supports regional and global economic activities.#

By: CHINEDU WOSU

Maritime

NNS Hands Over Two Suspected Stowaways to Immigration Service

Published

2 weeks ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy, through the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, has handed over two suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MV Seaspan Lahore, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The suspects were formally transferred to DSI Eneji Emmanuel Ochokpa of the Lagos Ports/Marine Command in Apapa, Lagos.

According to Naval Authorities, the individuals were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, March 19, 2026, concealed within the rudder compartment of the vessel during routine security checks by NNS BEECROFT personnel.

The ship was reportedly navigating near the Lagos Fairway Buoy at the time of the discovery.

The Navy said the suspects were safely extracted and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigations.

They were identified as Abdullahi Yakubu, 36, described as a repeated offender, and Omoniyi Afotona, 25.

Both suspects were believed to have gained unauthorized access to the vessel at Apapa Port before its departure.

A stowaway is defined as an individual who secretly boards a vessel or aircraft to travel illegally without authorization, often exposing themselves to grave danger.

The Navy used the incident to caution against irregular migration, urging parents, guardians, and community leaders to educate young people on the risks and legal implications of attempting to travel abroad by hiding on ships.

It also advised Nigerians seeking opportunities overseas to pursue lawful migration channels.

Reaffirming its commitment, NNS BEECROFT stated that it will continue to align with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, to maintain a professional and responsive naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting national security objectives.##

By: CHINEDU WOSU