NIMASA Launches ‘Blue-Green’ Intelligence-Led Enforcement Officer On Lagos Waterways
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA) has commenced a coordinated maritime enforcement operation, codenamed “Blue-Green,” across key operational areas in Lagos to strengthen regulatory compliance, enhance maritime security and improve revenue generation.
The operation, conducted through the deployment of assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project, involved relevant maritime security units and intelligence capabilities within NIMASA’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) system.
According to the agency, the operation combined intelligence gathering, analysis, target development and coordinated enforcement at sea. A newly deployed specialised intelligence capability was also integrated into the exercise to improve the identification, assessment and prioritisation of vessels of interest.
The capability enabled enforcement teams to receive real-time intelligence support, allowing for more targeted vessel selection and coordinated maritime inspections.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the agency would formalise the Blue-Green operation as a recurring intelligence-led enforcement model following the outcome of the exercise.
Mobereola explained that the initiative would be progressively expanded to other maritime regions, including Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri, based on operational readiness and intelligence priorities.
“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.
He added that the deployment of multiple enforcement platforms was intended to deter individuals involved in criminal activities on the waterways, while commending the armed forces for their cooperation during the operation.
“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,” the NIMASA director-general stated.
During the exercise, several vessels were boarded and inspected as part of document verification and regulatory compliance screening.
The inspections covered statutory certification, cargo and voyage documentation, surcharge obligations and compliance with the provisions of the Cabotage regime.
NIMASA said the Blue-Green operation demonstrated the importance of integrating its enforcement capabilities with the intelligence resources of the C4i system and the maritime assets of the Deep Blue Project.
The agency stated that the initiative would provide a foundation for more structured and sustained intelligence-led enforcement operations, with the broader objectives of strengthening maritime compliance, improving security across the waterways and supporting enhanced revenue generation.
