Maritime security challenges: Nigerian Navy seeks collaboration

The Nigerian Navy has called for greater collaboration as well as inter- agency cooperation within stakeholders for effective policing of emerging security challenges in the Maritime sector of the country.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibrahim Gambo made the call at the ongoing Chief of Naval Staff Annual Conference in Kano state North- West Nigeria with the theme: “Enhancing Nigeria’s Maritime Security for Improved National Security.”

He said the collaboration has become more important looking at the recent happenings, especially the one posed by global pandemic leading to economic challenges.

According to him, the Maritime challenges include: sea robbery, piracy, crude oil theft poaching, human and illicit trafficking of weapons and drugs.

“The Maritime threats have become major concern and are evolving and challenging the combat capability of the Nigerian Navy and other Stakeholders.

“It is clear that one of the major implications of the emerging security situation is the increasing demand for effective collaboration in Maritime policing.

“The present situation calls for constant re-appraisals, greater collaboration as well as inter agency cooperation within stakeholders,” the CNS said.

Objective of the conference
Gambo said the conference was designed to provide a veritable platform to proffer workable solutions in fine-tuning Nigerian Navy efforts at securing the Maritime environment.

“The objective of the conference therefore is to elicit proper understanding and develop strategies that will enhance our collective effort to meet present and emerging Maritime challenges in our strategic environment.

“As I always say, no single Ministry, Department or Agency can do it alone,” he said.

He urged participants at the conference to proffer practical solutions that are implementable in the immediate, short, medium and long terms.

He commended federal and local initiatives taken in recent times towards ensuring greater productivity of security efforts in the Maritime environment.

He appreciated the Governor of Kano state for extending the sincere hospitality of the state to the participants.

Eradicating crimes in the maritime sector
Kano state Governor Dr. Umar Ganduje in his remark said the successful eradication of Maritime crimes in Nigeria’s Maritime environment is a collective responsibility of every stakeholder as such the conference and the theme are timely, urging all participants to take ownership of the conference.

“It is only by doing this that the deliberations can yield implementable strategies to enhance Nigeria’ Maritime security synergy for sustainable socio- economic development of the country”, the Governor said.

He said Nigeria’s Maritime sector is worthy of extensive protection by all Stakeholders because it holds a good percentage of Africa’s oil production and reserves, source of food stock and supply, hub of extensive trans- Atlantic trade among others.

Nneka Ukachukwu