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Piracy On Watersways Worries NIMASA

Published

14 years ago

on

The Nigerian Maritime Administrative and Safety Agency
(NIMASA), has called on stakeholders to address the problem of sea robbers and
piracy on Nigerian waters.

NIMASA Director of
Shipping and development, Capt. Wareedi Enisuoh, made the call in Lagos at a
stakeholders’ forum on how to address the hijacking and armed sea robbers’
attack on fishing trawlers.

Enisuoh said that some of the ways to eradicate  the activities of sea robbers and the
hijackers of fishing trawlers was to improve safety on the Nigeria waters.

“It is our natural resource; we have the responsibility to
protect it, and as well have the responsibility to ensure that it works”,
Enisuoh said.

According to him, pirates are sea robbers who prey on ships
and rob them of their goods and sometimes capture the ship itself for their own
personal use.

“This problem has been with us ever since commerce took to
the oceans, which of course is more than 2000 years ago.

“The Vikings “Sea Raider” actually earned their name from
crimes such as this.

“They were renowned for attacking ships and coastal towns
and ended up being the founding fathers of modern day Britain,” he said.

Also, Alhaji Inuwa Danladi, technical Director of NIGCOMSAT,
said that Nigeria communication satellite would enable the navy to network its
warships, submarines and aircraft with operational centres ashore, through
high-speed data link.

“We have massive land bodering the sea and we also have a
lot of ocean tributaries, we can install security cameras which have high
zooming capacity along the landmass.

“This is for surveillance in our coastal areas, which
happened to be areas of high security threat and interest”.

He said that National Public Security Communciation System
(NPSCS) would be used by the Nigerian Police under the supervision of NIGCOMSAT
as network integrated security agent.

Alhaja Bola Kupolati, Director of Federal Department of
Fisheries, said that the numbers of registered and actually operating ships
have decreased fast from 265 ships in 2008, to 139 in 2012.

Kupolati said that the problems were direct consequences of
the lack of effective surveillance patrol.

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Business

Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS

Published

3 weeks ago

on

June 29, 2026

By

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
The suspects were discovered aboard a merchant vessel, MT Chinafrie Happiness, in an attempted illegal voyage out of the country.
This was contained in a statement issued by Sub Lieutenant A.O. Ajayi, Naval Assistant to the Commander, NNS Beecroft.
The statement said the Handover is part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at strengthening maritime security, curbing illegal migration, and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
According to the statement, the suspects were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The five suspects were safely evacuated by Naval Personnel’s and taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation, profiling, and documentation before being transferred to immigration authorities for further action.
The statement gave their identity as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).
Preliminary findings indicated that the individuals allegedly boarded the vessel while it was docked at Tin Can Island Port with the intention of stowing away to India without valid travel documentation or authorisation.
The statement also noted that stowaway attempts pose significant risks to human life and maritime safety, as individuals often hide in hazardous compartments of vessels under extreme conditions that could lead to injury or death.
The Naval statement  warned that illegal boarding of ships remains a serious maritime security challenge and called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous and unlawful acts.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of NNS Beecroft to sustained maritime security operations in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, aimed at maintaining a professional and effective naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations for national security.
Chinedu Wosu
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Business

Navy Nabs 13 Black Sand Miners In Bayelsa –Impound Two Boats

Published

3 weeks ago

on

June 29, 2026

By

The Nigerian Navy has arrested Thirteen 13 Black Sand miners in Bayelsa state
The Service also impounded two Wooden Boats used for the illegal operations
Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Abuja.
Folorunsho said with the operation, the Navy had recorded another operational success in its efforts to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources
According to Folorunsho the operation was conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, following credible intelligence on the movement of boats suspected to be involved in illegal mining activities.
He said  the intelligence revealed  the boats were operating within the coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area.
“Acting on the intelligence, Naval personnel intercepted the boats at Lekeson and Liama communities, where large quantities of suspected illegally mined black sand were discovered onboard.
“A total of 13 crew members were arrested in connection with the activity,” he said.
The Naval Director of information said that the successful operation underscored the Navy’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment and preventing the illegal exploitation of natural resources that undermine economic development and environmental sustainability.
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining operations against illegal resource extraction and other maritime crimes, while maintaining security and stability within the nation’s waterways,” he said.
Folorunsho also said that the two wooden boats recovered, the black sand and the 13 suspects have subsequently been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Nembe Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He said this was done in line with the extant procedures and directives of the Bayelsa Government.
The Naval spokesperson reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime resources.
 Folorunsho assured that it would also ensure that the nation’s waterways remain safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.
CHINEDU WOSU
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Maritime

NCS Holds Free Medical Outreach For 2,000 Daura Residents 

Published

2 months ago

on

May 18, 2026

By

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held its 7th Retreat Medical Outreach in Daura, Katsina State,
Customs said the Free medical outreach is aimed at providing free healthcare services to residents of the area.
Speaking during the event, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Ahmad Tijjani-Abe, said the programme would provide general medical consultations, dental care, eye and ear care, as well as minor surgical operations for beneficiaries.
Tijjani-Abe said medical teams deployed for the exercise would also provide free medications to patients attending the outreach.
He added that the service would visit schools within the area to deworm students and distribute health kits and mosquito nets to help prevent malaria among children.
Also Speaking, Dr Ethelbert Ikechukwu, Medical Team Leader of the outreach said the exercise was part of the initiative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which had been carried out in different parts of the country over the years.
According to him, the programme is designed to support communities where customs personnel operate by offering free medical consultations and medications to residents.
Ikechukwu further explained that patients whose conditions could not be fully managed at the outreach centre would be referred to appropriate medical facilities for further treatment.
Ikechukwu urged members of the public to take advantage of the exercise, noting that the medical teams comprised highly qualified healthcare professionals.
The outreach targets about 2,000 patients across various areas of medical care.
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