Connect with us

Headlines

Nigeria dazzles Dominguez, IMO scribe, with practical demonstration of deep blue assets capabilities.

— fancies its chances at IMO elections 
Funso OLOJO 
With lethal precision and technical accuracy, Nigeria put its multi- million dollars assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, into a stimulated demonstration at the Under water jetty of the Nigerian Navy, Ojo, Lagos.
The demonstration, which took place on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 was  done in the full glare of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola , the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and other security agents who were seated on board of DB Abuja, another special mission vessel of the deep blue project.
In a fast- paced operation, the full compliment of deep blue assets, comprising two special mission helicopters, four fast interceptor boats, and two special mission vessels,were deployed to foil a stimulated pirate attack on DB Lagos, one of the special mission vessels under the deep blue project.
In the stimulation exercise, one of the Deep Blue special mission vessels, DB Lagos, was under pirate attack.
But the fast and timely intervention of the security personnel of the Maritime Security Unit(MSU) of the deep blue project, manning two special mission helicopters and  four fast interceptor boats, neutralize the attack, arrested the pirates, rescued the crew of the attacked vessel and took the injured victims to the hospital, showcasing the aerial capacity of the deep blue assets.
An impressed IMO scribe, Arsenio Dominguez, was blown away by the clinical precision of the anti- piracy capabilities of the deep blue project security personnel.
“I want to start by thanking the government of Nigeria, the Ministry, NIMASA, and particularly the Deep Blue team.
“Because this is one of the most impressive displays that I have seen and experienced”
“And the reality is that we know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
“And I hope and I really encourage the government to sustain this project.
 “Because the results are there. The fact that for the last three years, there has been not a single piracy attack in the national waters of Nigeria just demonstrates the effectiveness.
“And of course this also demonstrates and replicates the fact that commerce will return and come back” the IMO chief declared.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, was no less impressed by the demonstration.
He reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to reclaim the elusive seat in the category C of the IMO.
The Minister promised to go back to the Headquarters of the IMO in London to intensify the campaign and lobby to ensure that Nigeria is elected into the council.
“I want to say that the Deep Blue project is a multi- layered security architecture, that has earned Nigeria a zero piracy for the past three years.
“And it’s not enough for us to say so. It’s important for people, particularly the Secretary General, to witness the demonstration.  It’s not a fluke, it’s a reality.
“And I must commend the various agencies, the security agencies particularly, for the collaboration.
 “That means with teamwork, there’s nothing you cannot achieve. We will try to sustain it.
“It’s tough in terms of funding. But the federal government is determined to ensure that there’s no piracy in the waters.
“That’s part of what will allow us to harness the potential of the economy.
“I must commend all the people that are involved, the CEO of the management team, all the various agencies that have contributed in getting this thing to this stage.
 “I’m proud of the fact that the SG is able to look at this. I’ll come back to the UK to be able to convince them that Nigeria deserves to be a member of the Council of IMO.
“
We’re looking at being part of the Council from November this year. But the ultimate, like I mentioned to you yesterday,  is for us to get to the UK” Oyetola enthused.
However, Dominguez was non- committal to the title race of Nigeria at the IMO.
“The International Maritime Organisation works with 176 member states.
“And I encourage Nigeria to continue their campaign for the election into the IMO Council.
” They have been there before. They know that they are doing very good work.
“And I wish them a lot of success in the elections” he declared in a detached voice.
Late former President Muhammadu Buhari, performed the official launch of assets under the deep blue project on Thursday, June 10th,2021 in Lagos.
The  Deep Blue Project, which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Federal Ministry of Defence, is being implemented by NIMASA.
The main objective of the Deep Blue Project is to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.

The Project has three categories of platforms to tackle maritime security on land, sea, and air.

The land assets include the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) for intelligence gathering and data collection; 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit.

The sea assets include two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats. The air assets comprise two Special Mission Aircraft for surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); three Special Mission Helicopters for search and rescue operations; and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The Deep Blue Project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa with the aim of tackling the incidences of piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea.

The Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the Deep Blue Project, comprises personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, and Department of State Services.
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headlines

Greg Ogbeifun confirms chairmanship of 10th AMSAY Conference Anniversary on May 27th.

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 
The organisers of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference have announced that  renowned ship owner and Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Ltd, Engr Greg Ogbeifun will chair the 10th anniversary of the event scheduled to hold in Lagos on May 27, 2026.
The announcement comes as preparations intensify for what is widely regarded as a landmark edition of the youth-focused maritime conference.
The 10th AMSAY Conference marks a decade of sustained youth engagement, innovation, and impact in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
It is expected to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and young professionals from across the maritime ecosystem.
Engr. Ogbeifun’s confirmation as Chairman adds significant weight to the anniversary event.
He previously served as the Pioneer Chairman during the maiden edition of the conference in 2016, and his return ten years later is described by the organisers as both symbolic and strategic.
According to the Convener and CEO of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi, the decision reflects a deliberate effort to connect the conference’s origins with its current status, noting that the AMSAY Conference has evolved significantly over the past decade.
He highlighted that several key initiatives now associated with the conference were not part of its original design.
 Among these are the Best Graduating Maritime Students Awards (BEGMASA); the  Fola Ojutalayo Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition (FOAMSC), including the Maritime Career Mentoring Program (M-CAMP).
These programmes, according to him, have become integral components and offshoot of the AMSAY Conference brand.
Speaking further, Obasi stated that the initiatives have delivered measurable impact in youth development and professional capacity building, even as he further described the growth of these programmes as evidence of the conference’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“Bringing Engr. Ogbeifun back after ten years is a strategic move. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey and showcase our achievements.”, the Convener said, adding that the anniversary edition will also provide a platform to draw from Engr Greg’s  wealth of experience and industry insight.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of AMSAY Conference, Mr Nnamdi Eronini hinted that the 10th AMSAY Conference is expected to feature robust discussions, mentorship engagements, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
He reaffirmed the organisers commitment to advancing the maritime sector through sustained youth engagement and innovation, noting that the event is positioned as a leading platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Continue Reading

Customs

Oyo/Osun Customs Command collects 27.2billon revenue in Q1 2026

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has posted an impressive 95% increase in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Led by Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, the command generated ₦27.2 billion between January and March 2026, up from ₦13.97 billion in Q1 2025.
A breakdown of the generated revenue revealed that the command raked in a total sum of N5,977,766,941.65 in January 2026 which was about N2 billion lower (23% down) than the total sum of N7,804,408,776.88 collected in the same period of 2025.
However, despite a dip in January, revenue rebounded strongly in February and March.
 In February , the command’s revenue collection jumped up astronomically to a total sum of N8,767,974,864.40 against the very low total revenue of N2,289,193,870 realized in the corresponding period of 2025.
This year’s February revenue is over 383% higher than the revenue collected the same period last year.
February’s performance was the standout, with collections nearly quadrupling year-on-year.
In March 2026, Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative ingenuity and thoroughness further shored up the revenue generation of the command in the month under review to a total sum of N12,454,516,158.62.
 In the corresponding period  of last year, the command’s generated revenue was a patry sum of N3,877,668,667.
This year’s March revenue achievement represents 321% rise over last year’s.
 Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative reforms and enforcement measures are credited with driving the surge.
Overall, the command’s Q1 results underscore a significant improvement in efficiency and compliance, positioning Oyo/Osun as one of the strongest performing Customs Commands in the country.
Continue Reading

Headlines

NRC decries ceaseless attacks, vandalism on trains along Abuja- Kaduna rail corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has lamented the ceaseless attacks on its train operations along the  notorious Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor by suspected vandals and criminal elements.
In a statement by the Corporation,the latest incident occurred around Kilometer 177 along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, where some unknown persons reportedly gathered along the rail track and began pelting stones at a moving train, leading to damage to the windscreen of the leading locomotive.
The NRC noted with deep concern that within the last two weeks, similar attacks have also been witnessed in other locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village, Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, among others, a development it feared is posing serious danger to railway operations, passengers, and operational personnel.
The NRC management disclosed that similar incidents have so far been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor, thereby worsening the already challenging and stressful operational conditions under which the Corporation continues to provide essential transport services to Nigerians.
The NRC stated that these persistent attacks not only endanger lives and damage critical railway infrastructure, but also constitute acts of economic sabotage capable of disrupting national transportation and undermining the huge investments of the Federal Government in the railway sector.
The Corporation however assured that despite the unfortunate development, train operations have continued with necessary safety precautions and strict operational vigilance by railway personnel who have continued to demonstrate commitment and professionalism in ensuring that passengers reach their destinations safely.
The Management of the Corporation specially acknowledged the efforts and support of security operatives working tirelessly with the NRC to secure railway corridors and safeguard passengers and railway assets despite the persistent attacks.
It said it is currently working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance along the corridor, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
The NRC therefore called on residents and communities along railway corridors to support efforts aimed at protecting railway infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging criminal attacks on trains and railway installations.
NRC further expressed concerns that continuous attacks on railway operations could negatively affect smooth service delivery if urgent collective action is not taken to curb the menace.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to ensuring safe, secure, and efficient train operations across the country and assures passengers that every necessary measure is being taken to safeguard lives and railway assets” the statement concluded.
Continue Reading

Trending