In a strategic move to bolster national security and curb criminal activities within Nigeria’s maritime boundaries, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a renewed partnership with the Nigerian Navy aimed at tackling cross-border crimes and terrorism at sea.
The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit formed part of a broader agenda under a regional workshop on maritime border security, co-hosted by the NIS and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre.
Represented by Deputy Comptroller Muhammad Umar, the Immigration boss noted that the collaboration is designed to go beyond the common issue of stowaways.
According to her, the partnership will focus on eradicating a range of maritime-related threats, including terrorism, trafficking, illegal migration, and smuggling along Nigeria’s international maritime domain.
This is not just about stowaways. It is about how we can collectively tackle criminality and terrorism that threaten our maritime borders, Umar stated. “As part of this ongoing programme, we are strengthening our alliance with the Navy to ensure our waters are secure and properly monitored.”
He emphasized the importance of synergy between security agencies, noting that the Navy’s control over territorial waters makes them a key player in maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s ports and maritime corridors.
The Navy is responsible for the protection of our international territorial waters. So the ships and every other economic activity at the port or along the maritime domains are done in conjunction with these agencies, Umar said.
Furthermore he stated that the cooperation is guided by the principle of the four Cs – Coordination, Cooperation, Collaboration, and Communication.
The Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Paul Nimmyel, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that inter-agency collaboration remains a cornerstone of naval operations.
He affirmed that the Navy maintains an open-door policy for partnerships aimed at securing the maritime space.“Collaboration with other security agencies to rid our maritime space of crimes is one of our primary mandates,” Nimmyel said. “We have existing partnerships with the Nigeria Customs Service, the Immigration Service, and other key agencies to ensure criminals don’t exploit our waters.”
He also disclosed that the Navy has developed a robust system for handling maritime arrests. “When we apprehend suspects on the waterways, we carry out thorough documentation and hand them over to the relevant authorities.
As demonstrated today, our exercise focused on simulating a stowaway scenario—a common issue on vessels docking in Nigerian waters,” he explained.
The renewed partnership could not have come at a better time, as global security challenges continue to put pressure on coastal nations to better safeguard their waters from criminal networks and extremist elements.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
STOWAWAY: someone who hides on a ship, airplane, etc., in order to travel without paying or being seen.
The NIS-Navy collaboration is part of a larger national effort to enhance maritime security as Nigeria pushes to strengthen its blue economy and deter threats to national and economic stability.
As both agencies deepen cooperation, stakeholders are optimistic that improved coordination among security outfits will go a long way in restoring confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector and deterring criminal activity at sea.
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