Maritime Security: NIMASA Strengthens Intelligence-Led Enforcement With ‘Blue-Green’ Operation
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has undertaken a coordinated maritime enforcement operation across key operational areas in Lagos, deploying assets of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project, alongside relevant maritime security units.
The operation, code-named “Blue-Green”, combined intelligence gathering, analysis and target development with coordinated enforcement at sea, with several vessels boarded and inspected for documentation and regulatory compliance.
The Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward in a statement on Monday, said the operation involved the deployment of a new specialised intelligence capability within the agency’s Deep Blue structure and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence System (C4i), designed to improve the identification, assessment and prioritisation of vessels of interest.
According to him, the capability supported more focused target selection and provided real-time intelligence support to enforcement teams during the operation.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the “Blue-Green” enforcement operation would become a regular occurrence, with the agency planning to formalise it as a recurring intelligence-led enforcement model.
“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,” he said.
Mobereola added that the deployment of multiple enforcement platforms was intended to serve as a deterrent to persons with criminal intentions, while commending the level of cooperation from the armed forces.
During the operation, the vessels boarded were subjected to document verification and compliance screening, covering statutory certification, cargo and voyage documentation, surcharge obligations and cabotage compliance requirements.
NIMASA said the operation demonstrated the value of combining its enforcement capabilities with C4i intelligence and Deep Blue maritime assets, providing a foundation for more structured and sustained intelligence-led enforcement operations aimed at strengthening maritime compliance and supporting improved revenue generation.
