Nigeria Takes Delivery Of Aircraft, Boats, Armoured Vehicles To Tackle Sea Piracy

THE Federal Government has taken delivery of additional mobile assets for enhanced maritime security under his deep blue project.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) said the newly acquired two unmanned aircraft system, nine interceptor patrol boats and 10 armoured vehicles have been added to the existing assets earlier procured by the Federal Government and commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, while thanking President Buhari for his sustained support in the fight against sea piracy and other maritime crimes said the additional equipment will boost efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea and Nigerian maritime domain.

Jamoh, who described the recently held Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum ( GOG- MCF/ SHADE) in Abuja as a success in rallying international support in the suppression of maritime insecurity, added that Nigeria’s commitment in regional maritime security will always be sustained.

He recommended the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences ( SPOMO) Act emplaced by Nigeria as a robust statute that supports maritime law enforcement, which other countries are considering to replicate.

The DG said: “Nigeria is improving on her capacity to fight maritime crime by procuring technology, upgrading human capacity for effective service delivery and deployment of the assets for round the clock patrol, interdiction and reconnaissance with the support of Nigerian Navy and other security agencies we signed MOU.