Nigeria recorded zero piracy incidents in 4 years

…Boosts maritime security with 492 officers

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in the past four years, the federal government has announced, attributing the milestone to strengthened maritime surveillance and coordinated security efforts across its waters.

To sustain the gains and deepen safety on the nation’s waterways, the government has deployed 492 new maritime security officers from different operational units.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made these disclosures at the 2026 graduation ceremony of the Advance Combat Training Programme for the Deep Blue Project held at 5 Battalion Nigerian Army Barracks, Elele, Rivers State on Thursday.

The 492 personnel drawn from Nigerian Army, Air Force and Navy included: 232 Maritime Security Unit Operatives; 19 armored vehicle drivers; 13 armored vehicle mechanics; eight special mission helicopter pilots; eight special mission helicopter technicians; five special mission aircraft pilots and six special mission aircraft technicians.

Others were 49 special mission vessel crew: 28 interceptor boat mechanics; 62 interceptor boat drivers; 52 Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4I) operators, and 10 vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial systems operators.

The minister noted that the Gulf of Guinea was one of the most dangerous maritime corridors in the world, accounting for over 45 reported piracy incidents.

He expressed: “Today’s ceremony is not only a celebration of the successful completion of rigorous training by maritime security personnel, but also an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey and achievements of the Deep Blue Project since its conception.

“Before the establishment of the Project in 2021, the Gulf of Guinea had become one of the most dangerous maritime corridors in the world, accounting for over 45 percent of reported global piracy incidents and over 90 percent of global crew kidnappings at sea during its peak years.

“The region was widely regarded as the world’s most unsafe maritime domain for shipping and international trade activities, posing serious threats to economic growth, maritime commerce, and regional stability.

“It was against this backdrop that the Federal Government conceived and commissioned the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly known as the Deep Blue Project, in 2021. The Project was established to combat piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishing, oil theft, and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s territorial waters and across the Gulf of Guinea.

“Since its commissioning, the Deep Blue Project has transformed Nigeria’s maritime security landscape through the deployment of integrated air, land, and sea assets supported by advanced surveillance and rapid response capabilities.

“I am proud to state that, as a result of the sustained implementation of the Deep Blue Project and the strong collaboration among our security agencies, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters for the past four years, while piracy incidents across the Gulf of Guinea have reduced by over 70 percent.

“These achievements have restored global confidence in Nigeria’s maritime domain, improved regional maritime safety, enhanced trade activities, insurance premium and strengthened Nigeria’s standing as a responsible maritime nation committed to securing international shipping routes.

“Significantly, the improved security situation within Nigeria’s maritime domain has also led to growing international recognition and positive reassessment of Nigeria’s maritime risk profile.

“The sustained suppression of piracy and armed robbery at sea has strengthened ongoing efforts toward the delisting of Nigeria from countries classified as war-risk nations by international shipping and insurance stakeholders.

“Furthermore, the progress made under the Deep Blue Project has intensified calls for the removal of War Risk Insurance Premiums imposed on Nigerian-bound cargo, a development which will ultimately reduce the cost of shipping, lower importation expenses, enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, and stimulate greater trade and investment within the maritime sector and the wider economy.”

According to him, the occasion represented another important milestone in the collective commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and strengthening the foundations of a sustainable blue economy.

Earlier in his address, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bayo Mobereola, disclosed that officers and personnel that graduated had undergone specialized training conducted across several strategic training locations around the world, including Syria, Italy, Swaziland, Australia, and Nigeria, thereby exposing our personnel to global best practices and international operational standards in maritime security operations.

According to the NIMASA DG/CEO, what many people might not fully appreciate was the level of operational integration and technological capability that supports these achievements.

He said: “The Deep Blue architecture integrates two Special Mission Aircrafts equipped with advanced maritime surveillance sensors, two Special Mission Helicopters for over the sea operations and surveillance,

two Special Mission Vessels for deep sea operations, eight Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for real-time intelligence gathering,

16 fast interceptor boats for rapid tactical response, 15 armoured coastal patrol vehicles.

He explained that the Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence Centre (the C4i Centre) serves as the central coordination hub for maritime domain awareness and operational response.

“As many of you may recall, the Gulf of Guinea was once regarded as one of the most challenging maritime regions in the world due to incidents of piracy and sea robbery. Today, through the Deep Blue Project and the collective efforts of all stakeholders, Nigeria has transformed the narrative which has resulted in zero piracy incidence since 2022, this has restored trust among global shipping operators, investors, and maritime stakeholders.

He appreciated the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his exemplary leadership, strategic guidance, and steadfast commitment to promoting maritime security initiatives in Nigeria.

Similarly, he thanked the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd) and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for their continued support and commitment towards strengthening national security and enhancing inter-agency cooperation in the maritime domain.

He, however, lauded the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and all security and intelligence agencies whose professionalism and cooperation continue to strengthen the operational success of the Deep Blue Project.

“NIMASA remains committed to sustaining investments in maritime security, technology, human capacity development, and strategic partnerships that will further consolidate the gains we have collectively achieved.

Together, we shall continue to build a safer maritime environment, strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy potential, and position our nation as a leading maritime hub in Africa.”