Gulf of Guinea Focus: Week 47
- Agwe Global
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The Nigerian Navy pulled off another daring sea rescue, saving ten crew members from a sinking vessel, MV SEMA III, off the Calabar coast. The operation, which involved personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka who responded promptly to a distress call from the vessel en-route from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Calabar, Nigeria. According to a statement signed by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, the distress signal was received around 2000 hours, prompting the immediate deployment of a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump to the location. “Upon arrival, the team discovered the vessel taking in water and immediately carried out a swift evacuation of all ten occupants — one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean, and eight Nigerians,” the statement read. The rescued crew members were safely conveyed to FOB Ibaka, where
they were received, debriefed, and given medical attention before being released, November 8, 2025. The Master of MV SEMA III expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its professionalism and timely intervention, describing the response as “the difference between life and death at sea.”
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The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA have reaffirmed commitment for collaboration in a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security architecture. The agreement for collaboration was reached in Lagos when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Maritime, AIG Chinedu Oko, paid a courtesy visit to the NIMASA head office in Lagos. The AIG met
with NIMASA’s Director General, Dayo Mobereola, as part of ongoing engagements with critical stakeholders in the industry. In his remarks, Oko emphasised the strategic importance of a unified security framework to safeguard Nigeria’s coastal waters, port facilities, and critical maritime assets. He commended NIMASA for its efforts in maritime safety regulation, capacity development, and the Deep Blue Project, stressing that sustainable cooperation between law enforcement and regulators is vital for safe and
efficient maritime operations. Commissioner of Police, Toyin Agbaminoja reaffirmed the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command’s commitment to providing robust security support across Nigeria’s port corridors, including Apapa Port, Tincan Island Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Kirikiri Lighter.
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The Nigerian Navy has handed over the rehabilitated Benin Navy Ship (BNS) Matelot Brice Kpomassé to the Republic of Benin, marking the successful completion of the vessel’s first docking and overhaul. Casting off in the morning from the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL) on Victoria Island in Lagos, where it was overhauled, the warship set sail for Cotonou on its homeward voyage. Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS),
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the refit exemplified the practical benefits of regional collaboration under the Yaoundé Architecture – the framework guiding joint maritime operations among Gulf of Guinea (GoG) nations. Abbas, who was represented by the Admiral Superintendent of Naval Dockyard, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, said: “One of the key components of maritime security is the ability to deploy assets effectively for joint operations “Through the capacity available at the Naval Dockyard and the guidance of our political and military leadership, we have created an environment that ensures both Nigeria
and the Republic of Benin have more operational vessels for shared patrols and enhanced maritime surveillance.” The CNS noted that the collaboration between both navies was facilitated through the Joint Maritime Command Centre (JMCC) in Cotonou, which promotes intelligence sharing and operational coordination among member states.
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The Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) has scheduled its Annual General Meeting (AGM) to hold in Lagos, as the body moves to strengthen coordination among operators and address emerging challenges within the nation’s maritime security architecture. In a notice issued by the association, the meeting will take place at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, with official proceedings expected to begin
at 9:00 a.m. The AGMM is expected to draw participation from security service providers, industry regulators, and other stakeholders involved in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment. The meeting, according to MASPAN, will provide an opportunity to review activities of the association in the past year, assess developments within the maritime security space, and outline strategic plans for the year ahead. Issues relating to operational
standards, inter-agency collaboration, and compliance with regulatory frameworks are also expected to dominate discussions. Industry watchers note that the AGM comes at a time when concerns around maritime safety, piracy threats, and the need for enhanced private-sector participation remain topical within the industry. MASPAN, made up of licensed maritime security service providers, plays a key role in complementing government efforts in
ensuring safer waterways and improved security for vessels operating in Nigerian waters.
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In a move aimed at assessing the operational readiness of the Eastern Fleet and strengthening synergy among maritime security agencies, the Eastern Naval command has flagged off Exercise DIN MINGI with the deployment of nine ships, two helicopters and multipurpose assault boats. The ceremony was held onboard Nigerian Navy Ship SHERE. Exercise DIN MINGI, which means “Safe Waters” in the Ibani dialect of Rivers State, is themed “Protecting Critical Infrastructure Through Inter-Agency Collaboration.” Speaking at the event, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chiedozie Okehie said the exercise will feature the deployment of nine Nigerian Navy ships, including NNS SHERE, NNS OJI, NNS EKULU, NNS ZUR, NNS BURUTU, NNS GONGOLA, NNS BADAGRY, NNS OSE and NNS SHIRORO. Additional assets include Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force helicopters, Epsilon EP55 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and multipurpose assault boats from both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy. The operations, he said will cover the Eastern Naval Command’s Area of Responsibility and
will test the Fleet’s logistical endurance, tactical response capabilities, and command-and-control systems in a simulated multi-threat environment. The Exercise is also expected to deepen collaboration with maritime partners and security agencies, while reinforcing the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to safeguarding mariners and ensuring safe and secure waterways for economic activities.
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The Ghana Police Service has received four new patrol boats to strengthen the operations of its Marine Police Unit. Ghana’s more than 550-kilometre coastline supports fishing, trade, offshore energy activities and other pillars of the blue economy. However, the Marine Police Unit has long operated with limited resources, undermining efforts to combat illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling and other maritime crimes. The newly acquired vessels are expected to significantly enhance operations against illegal fishing, human trafficking, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes along Ghana’s territorial waters. Speaking at the Commissioning ceremony, November 19, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, said the arrival of the boats marks a major step in securing Ghana’s maritime space and protecting the country’s blue economy. “We will continue to provide the necessary
resources and support to ensure that our police service is equipped to deal with emerging security concerns. I am confident that these new patrol boats will enable them to carry out their duties effectively,” he said.
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