The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has taken delivery of additional mobile assets for enhanced maritime security in its “Deep Blue’’ project. It was reported that with the delivery, two unmanned aircraft system, 9 interceptor patrol boats and 10 armoured vehicles were added to existing assets earlier procured by the Federal Government.
The land assets include the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre for intelligence gathering and data collection. Also included are 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol and 600 specially-trained troops for Maritime Security Unit to carry out interdiction.
NIMASA Director-General Bashir Jamoh, who made this known in a statement issued in Lagos, said the additional equipment would improve on the gains recorded in securing the Gulf of Guinea; further check piracy and other maritime crimes and generally secure the Nigerian maritime domain. He also described the recently-held Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum in Abuja as a success in rallying international support in the suppression of maritime insecurity.
Jamoh however assured that Nigeria’s commitment to regional maritime security would always be sustained.
