Gulf of Guinea Focus: Week 31
- Agwe Global
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has called for enhanced intelligence-sharing among security agencies to tackle rising maritime crimes in Nigeria’s coastal regions. Speaking during a courtesy visit by participants of the Advanced Defense Intelligence Officers Course 15 at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas warned that fragmented intelligence efforts are undermining the fight against piracy,
smuggling, and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea. Vice Admiral Ibas stressed that the lack of synergy among key agencies—including the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police, Nigerian Customs Service, DSS, and NIMASA—has allowed criminal networks to exploit gaps in surveillance and enforcement. “Our maritime domain is critical to Nigeria’s economy and
security, yet we continue to operate in silos,” he said. “Piracy, oil theft, and illegal fishing thrive when intelligence is not shared in real-time. We must break down these barriers to secure our waters effectively.” To address these challenges, Ibas outlined a multi-pronged approach: – Real-Time Intelligence Sharing – Strengthening inter-agency data exchange and
adopting AI-driven threat analysis.
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Strategic communication and media intelligence outfit, PRNigeria, has commended the Nigerian Navy for its operational achievements and rising public approval, citing data-driven insights from its latest perception analysis. During a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Publisher of PRNigeria, Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib, presented the organization’s sectoral quarterly perception index, which highlights the Navy’s impressive performance in maritime security and public engagement. According to Shuaib, PRNigeria’s media monitoring between May and July 2025 revealed that 62% of news reports on the Nigerian Navy were positive. These reports underscored the service’s effectiveness in tackling maritime crimes, enhancing civil-military relations, and fostering
inter-agency collaboration. The report recorded over 50 media stories—72% of which appeared in online publications—covering major naval operations. Notable among these were the interception of trafficked pangolin scales, recovery of stolen crude oil, and the dismantling of illegal refineries. Shuaib noted that, over the past two years, the Navy had seized 76 vessels, arrested 242 suspects, and thwarted maritime crimes valued at over ₦34
billion.
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In a strategic move to enhance safety and boost public confidence in water transportation, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has commenced the Year 2025 Safety Sensitisation Program with the distribution of life jackets across major jetties and riverine communities in the state. The initiative is part of LASWA’s continuous effort to promote a safety first culture among waterway users while reducing incidents of boat mishaps
on Lagos inland waterways. The sensitisation program covers key operational jetties and terminals including Falomo, Ijede, Sangotedo, Badore, Ito-Omu, Tarzan and Baiyeku jetties where LASWA officers engaged passengers, boat operators, and community members in live demonstrations, safety talks, and distribution of certified life jackets free of charge. The sensitisation sessions focused on proper life jacket usage, emergency response procedures, and LASWA’s mandatory safety guidelines for boarding and operating ferries. The program also served as a platform to buttress the authority’s “No Life Jacket, No Boarding” policy. To
reinforce these safety messages, the team distributed a range of safety materials including branded life jackets, safety souvenirs, informational leaflets, branded pen and notebooks. The distribution of these items not only encouraged compliance but also fostered a stronger culture of safety consciousness among waterways users.
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The troops of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Jubilee, in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, have arrested nine suspects for alleged illegal activities in the maritime domain. The Commander of NNS Jubilee, Commodore Abubarka Umar, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the base in Ikot Abasi. Umar stated that the personnel arrested the suspects based on credible intelligence reports regarding the illegal operation of a group known as the “Nigerian Coast Guard”, July 19.“Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee arrested the Nigerian Coast Guard Coordinator and eight members of the acclaimed group in Akwa Ibom. “This arrest is an enforcement of the Federal Government Official Gassett signed on the 28 Aug. 2013, as enshrined in the criminal code Act. Cap. C38 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004,” Umar said. The Commander added that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also empowered the Nigerian Navy with the responsibility to ensure that such illegal organisations do not operate in the maritime environment. “This is in furtherance to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, operational directive
at ensuring our maritime domain is safe and secured from illegal activities in order to enhance socio-economic development of our nation,” he said.
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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has called on riverine communities in Niger to adhere strictly to waterways regulations to prevent boat mishaps and ensure safety on inland waterways. Mr Akapo Adeboye, Area Manager in charge of NIWA, Niger and Kwara, made the call during a sensitisation campaign at Zumba market in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state. The campaign is tagged “Safety and Safety Trip: Zero
Tolerance to Boat Mishap, No Life Jacket, No Boarding Adeboye explained that the campaign was organised for boat operators and passengers in anticipation of rising water levels due to predicted heavy rainfall forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). He said that the sensitisation aimed to enhance safety on Nigerian’s waterways, protect lives and livelihoods of Nigerians
who rely on inland waterways for transportation. He added that the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians. “The reason behind organising the 2025 sensitisation campaigns on safety of lives and property on inland waterways regulations is to ensure compliance and reduce accidents. “We urge
everyone to take safety seriously and comply with the regulations to avoid accidents occasioned by boat mishaps,” he said.
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A boat accident in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State has resulted in the confirmed deaths of at least 25 people, including 10 members of a single family. The incident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. when a boat transporting passengers from Guni in Munya Local Government Area to a weekly market capsized after colliding with a submerged tree log. According to the Sarkin Ruwa of Zumba, Umar Isah, the majority of those on board were traders travelling to the Zumba market. He stated that one family lost 10 members, while another reported five individuals missing. Although the exact number of passengers remains unknown, it is estimated that about 25 people lost their lives, with several others still unaccounted for. Isah explained that the wooden boat, which was reportedly overcrowded,
capsized midstream after hitting an underwater tree trunk. The lack of life jackets and regulatory oversight of inland water transport in the area has been cited as a contributing factor to the incident. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the accident. The agency’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Ibrahim Hussaini, said
rescue operations are ongoing, with local authorities and emergency volunteers involved in search and recovery efforts. He noted that the death toll could rise as the search continues.
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