Maritime Security: NIMASA, NAF to strengthen Operational Collaboration

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have strengthened operational collaboration to enhance maritime security and safeguard Nigeria’s blue economy.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Friday in Abuja.

The renewed commitment was reached on Thursday when the NIMASA Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, at NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

Mobereola said maritime security remained critical to economic stability, international trade and investor confidence, noting that Nigeria had recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years.

He described the feat as a testament to the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.

According to him, the increasing volume of maritime traffic across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways requires sustained vigilance, enhanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities.

He stressed that deeper collaboration with the NAF would ensure continuous aerial oversight, timely intelligence sharing and proactive deterrence necessary to protect maritime assets and unlock the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.

In his remarks, Aneke reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering commitment to strengthened air–maritime operations in support of the Federal Government’s Deep Blue Project.

The CAS highlighted the Air Force’s maritime-support capabilities, including long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment across coastal corridors.

He noted that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems and inter-agency communication frameworks had significantly improved real-time situational awareness and coordinated response.

Aneke emphasised that air power remained a decisive force multiplier in maritime security operations due to its speed, flexibility and reach.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline