The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched a special intelligence-led enforcement operation in Lagos to strengthen compliance and tackle activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s maritime security and revenue.
The operation, code-named “Blue-Green,” involved the deployment of assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project, alongside other maritime security units.
NIMASA said the operation combined intelligence gathering, analysis and target development with coordinated enforcement activities at sea.
A key feature of the operation was the deployment of a new specialised intelligence capability within the NIMASA Deep Blue and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence System (C4i).
According to the agency, the new capability is designed to improve the identification, assessment and prioritisation of vessels of interest, while providing real-time intelligence support to enforcement teams.
Speaking on the operation, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the agency would institutionalise the Blue-Green model as a recurring intelligence-led enforcement operation.
“Following the outcome of the operation, we at NIMASA will formalise Blue-Green as a recurring intelligence-led enforcement model and progressively expand similar operations to other maritime regions, including Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri, in line with operational readiness and intelligence priorities,” Mobereola said.
He explained that the deployment of multiple enforcement platforms was intended to serve as a deterrent to individuals involved in criminal activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“This deployment of multiple enforcement platforms is to serve as deterrent to anybody with criminal intentions. We are glad with the level of cooperation from the armed forces,” he added.
During the operation, several vessels were boarded and subjected to inspections covering statutory certification, cargo and voyage documentation, surcharge obligations and compliance with Nigerian Cabotage requirements.
NIMASA said the exercise demonstrated the value of integrating its enforcement capabilities with C4i intelligence and Deep Blue maritime assets.
The agency said the approach would provide a foundation for more structured and sustained intelligence-led enforcement operations, with the broader objectives of strengthening maritime compliance and improving revenue generation.
