Participants at a regional workshop on Maritime Border Security which opened in Lagos yesterday will sharpen their skills in counter-terrorism techniques.
At the workshop on how to rid West and Central Africa of terrorism and other criminal activities were personnel from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force, Gulf of Guinea and other international security organisations.
They include: security and intelligence agents from Italy, Philippines, Mauritius, Togo, Britain, Cameroun, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Seirra leone, Sao Tome, Germany and Denmark.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who opened the workshop, appreciated the NIS for taking the lead in the review of Nigeria’s border strategic policy.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of border security in the general wellbeing of Nigerians, while reiterating the readiness of the federal government to take difficult decisions in protecting the Nigerian border.
NIS Comptroller-General Mrs. Kemi Nana Nandap said the workshop captures the collective resolve of governments in West and Central Africa to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit arms’ flow, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes.
Mrs. Nandap noted that the Atlantic coast of the Gulf of Guinea, particularly near Nigeria, is notorious for piracy and other maritime crimes.
The workshop has “Maritime security in the context of counter-terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea” as its theme.
The NIS boss stated that maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery and oil-related crimes threaten vessel and crew safety, adding that these threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration.
She said described the theme of the workshop as apt and timely in evaluating and rethinking security under the present circumstances of evolving maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mrs. Nandap said: “In addition, the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting was held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from February 25 to 27, 2025, to discuss critical maritime security issues in the region.
“This Workshop further emphasizes our collective resolve to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes. We aim to achieve this through sound policies, capacity building, community engagement, collaboration, and regional partnerships.
“Along West Africa’s Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Guinea is known for piracy, especially near Nigeria. It spans several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Due to its offshore oil and gas reserves, the region plays a crucial role in the global energy sector.
“Beyond oil and gas, harnessing the economic potential of the Gulf of Guinea resonates with Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, and the 2050 African Integrated Marine Strategy, Policy Framework, and Reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa.
“However, maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes threaten vessel and crew safety.
“These threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration. And this is the reason why we are gathered here today to find actionable solutions.
“I know the urgent priority of innovating countermeasures by deploying advanced surveillance systems and communication technologies for early detection and response.
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“Mitigating maritime threats in this vital region requires a broad spectrum of initiatives, not limited to international collaboration but fortifying defence capabilities in the marine domain.
“The NIS plays a pivotal role in maritime border security while ensuring that foreign terrorist fighters and other criminal elements do not exploit our territorial integrity.”
The NCS Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the need to close existing gaps in the country’s financial system, noting that terrorists have exploited these loopholes to fund their activities.
Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that the Police have finalized plans to strengthen marine security operations.
