Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug abuse and trafficking within Nigeria’s maritime domain. This commitment was underscored during a courtesy visit by NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), to NIMASA’s headquarters in Lagos.
The visit aimed to strengthen ties between the two agencies and explore collaborative strategies to secure Nigeria’s ports and waterways against the growing threat of illicit drug trafficking.
Speaking during the meeting, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, lauded the NDLEA’s significant achievements in curbing drug-related crimes under Brig. Gen. Marwa’s leadership. He emphasized NIMASA’s readiness to partner with the NDLEA to enhance maritime security and prevent the exploitation of Nigeria’s waterways for criminal activities.
“We are glad to welcome the NDLEA team, led by Brig. Gen. Marwa, whose exemplary leadership has brought remarkable progress in the fight against illicit drugs. NIMASA is firmly committed to working with the NDLEA to ensure our ports and terminals are not used for drug trafficking,” Dr. Mobereola stated.
In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Marwa highlighted the urgent need for collaboration between the two agencies, noting that maritime channels are increasingly being used for the illegal transportation of drugs.
“As the agency responsible for controlling drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, we understand that collaboration with key stakeholders like NIMASA is essential. The global maritime space is becoming a conduit for illicit drug movement, and we must work together to address this challenge,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Marwa also emphasized the importance of integrating NDLEA’s Marine Command with NIMASA’s operations, particularly under the Deep Blue Project—a joint security initiative involving various agencies to protect Nigeria’s waterways.
“Recent drug seizures at Lagos ports highlight the urgency of our mission. We propose a closer partnership between our Marine Command and NIMASA, leveraging the Deep Blue Project to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain,” Marwa added.
The NDLEA Chairman further pledged the agency’s support in sensitizing NIMASA staff and cadets under the National Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) on the dangers of drug abuse.
In response, Dr. Mobereola assured that NIMASA would explore avenues to integrate NDLEA personnel into its maritime security architecture, particularly through the Deep Blue Project.
The Deep Blue Project, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Defence, is a multi-agency initiative aimed at combating piracy, drug trafficking, and other crimes within Nigeria’s maritime space. It involves contributions from the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, Army, Police, and the Department of State Services.
Both leaders expressed optimism about the potential impact of this partnership on securing Nigeria’s maritime domain against criminal activities.