Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other international security organisations are currently in talks on strategic moves to combat terrorism and other criminal activities on the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Speaking in Lagos at the opening ceremony of ongoing Regional Workshop on Maritime Border security organised by the NIS on Tuesday, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap said the workshop emphasizes the collective resolve of governments in West and Central Africa to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes.

Nandap also noted that the Atlantic coast of the Gulf of Guinea, particularly near Nigeria, is notorious for piracy and other maritime crimes.

At the workshop themed: “Maritime Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea.” the NIS boss stated that maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes is threatening vessel and crew safety, adding that these threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration.

She said: “The theme of this Workshop, Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea, is apt and timely in evaluating and rethinking security under the present circumstances of evolving maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

“In addition, the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting was held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from February 25 to 27, 2025, to discuss critical maritime security issues in the region.

“This Workshop further emphasizes our collective resolve to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes. We aim to achieve this through sound policies, capacity building, community engagement, collaboration, and regional partnerships.

“Along West Africa’s Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Guinea is known for piracy, especially near Nigeria. It spans several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Due to its offshore oil and gas reserves, the region plays a crucial role in the global energy sector. Beyond oil and gas, harnessing the economic potential of the GoG resonates with Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, and the 2050 African Integrated Marine Strategy, Policy Framework, and Reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa. However, maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes threaten vessel and crew safety.

“These threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration. And this is the reason why we are gathered here today to find actionable solutions.

“As the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, I know the urgent priority of innovating countermeasures by deploying advanced surveillance systems and communication technologies for early detection and response.

“Mitigating maritime threats in this vital region requires a broad spectrum of initiatives, not limited to international collaboration but fortifying defence capabilities in the marine domain. The NIS plays a pivotal role in maritime border security while ensuring that foreign terrorist fighters and other criminal elements do not exploit our territorial integrity.

“Passenger facilitation and control of travel documents are the root of all counter-terrorist interventions. We will continue to prioritize cooperation, professionalism, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in the surveillance and management of our borders.

“Our gathering shows our commitment to AIMS 2050 and ECOWAS’s Gulf of Guinea strategy. We aim to create a peaceful maritime environment to maximize blue economy potential and achieve social, environmental, and economic goals in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigeria Immigration Service is dedicated to utilizing API/PNR for better intelligence sharing and strengthen maritime security though robust visa administration where applicable.

“We recognize its benefits for air-border security and will expand our Border Management Information System (BMIS) to marine frontiers to counter international threats in the GoG.

“Our threats are transnational, and so must be our response. No agency or government involved in border security and migration management can operate independently. The NIS is committed to collaborating with regional and global partners to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration at sea without compromising security.

“Let us conclude this workshop with clear action plans, stronger partnerships, and a renewed determination to secure the Gulf of Guinea for prosperity and peace.”

As the Nigeria Immigration Service and its sister agencies await the compendium of good practices from the workshop, it is envisaged that the compilation should focus on strengthening cooperation among states, adhering to relevant international conventions and protocols, establishing joint task forces and intelligence fusion centres, building capacity, and deployment of advance technology as outlined in the Yaounde Code of Conduct 2013 and the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy.

Similarly, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the need to close existing gaps in the country’s financial system, noting that terrorists have exploited these loopholes to fund their activities.

Speaking to journalists at the workshop, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that the Police have finalized plans to strengthen marine security operations.

On his part, the minister for interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while declaring the event opened, appreciated the NIS for taking the lead in the needed move to review the country’s border strategic policy. He emphasized the importance of border security in the general wellbeing of Nigerians, while reiterating the readiness of the federal government to take difficult decisions in protecting the Nigerian border.

The gathering has in attendance, security and intelligence agent from Italy, Philippines, Mauritius, Togo, Britain, Cameroun, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Seirra leone, Sao Tome, Germany and Denmark.

Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea