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Gulf of Guinea Security Gets Boost as NIMASA, Air Force Strengthen Ties
By prince Benson Davies
NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force have strengthened their partnership to boost security in the Gulf of Guinea. The collaboration aims to enhance tactical air support for the Deep Blue Project, which has achieved zero piracy in Nigerian waters for four years. NIMASA DG, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized the importance of air surveillance and collaboration to sustain the project’s success.
Dr Mobereola said this during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S. K. Aneke at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. He emphasised the role of the Air Force as a strategic partner in enhancing maritime security in Nigeria and sustaining the momentum of the Deep Blue Project’s success.
According to the DG, “we are here to seek the Air Force’s support given the importance of tactical air surveillance to the Deep Blue Project. Nigeria is the only African country with the record of zero piracy within the last four years. The Deep Blue Project platforms have been used to achieve zero piracy and sea robberies in the Gulf of Guinea and we need your collaboration to sustain this momentum”.
Dr. Mobereola further emphasised that international trade depends on security, which is why vessels prefer to go to or transit through countries where they are secured. “With the traffic we have now, we need to show more security might through collaboration to strengthen our trade viability because of the risks attached to our route. We need these collaborations to sustain what we have achieved so far with the Deep Blue Project”.
The NIMASA DG expressed hope that the collaboration with the Nigeria Air Force will reduce response time.
On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S.K. Aneke noted that the Air Force desires to be “a very supportive and collaborative partner with NIMASA and is ready to match the Agency step by step and side by side to achieve the desired results.”
He noted that “collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Air Force under the Deep Blue Project can be strengthened through a joint strategic framework, integrated command structures, and a standing steering committee to ensure shared objectives and accountability. Establishing a joint maritime domain awareness fusion cell will enable real-time intelligence sharing, synchronized surveillance, and faster response to maritime threats and ensure sustained operational effectiveness across Nigeria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.
The Air Force Chief added that the Air Force can also support NIMASA outside the Deep Blue Project operations by providing its own ISR platforms, tactical air support, and rapid airborne deployment for interdictions and search and rescue missions.