By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched a coordinated maritime enforcement operation, code-named “Operation Blue-Green,” across key operational areas in Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen compliance, maritime security and revenue generation.
The operation involved the deployment of assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project, alongside relevant maritime security units.
According to NIMASA, the operation combined intelligence gathering, analysis and target development with coordinated enforcement activities at sea.
A new specialised intelligence capability within the NIMASA Deep Blue and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) System was also deployed during the exercise.
The capability was designed to improve the identification, assessment and prioritisation of vessels of interest, enabling enforcement teams to select targets more effectively while receiving real-time intelligence support during operations.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the outcome of the exercise had prompted the agency to make Operation Blue-Green a recurring intelligence-led enforcement model.
Mobereola said NIMASA would progressively extend similar operations to other maritime regions, including Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri, based on operational readiness and intelligence priorities.
He said the deployment of multiple enforcement platforms was also intended to serve as a deterrent to individuals and organisations involved in criminal activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“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,” Mobereola said.
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He added: “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.”
During the operation, several vessels were boarded and inspected as part of document verification and compliance screening.
The inspections covered statutory certification, cargo and voyage documentation, surcharge obligations and compliance with the Cabotage requirements.
NIMASA said the exercise demonstrated the benefits of integrating its enforcement capabilities with C4i intelligence and Deep Blue maritime assets.
According to the agency, the approach provides a foundation for more structured and sustained intelligence-led enforcement operations aimed at improving maritime compliance and supporting increased revenue generation.
The agency said the formalisation of Operation Blue-Green would strengthen its capacity to identify vessels and activities requiring regulatory attention while improving enforcement coordination across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
