Maritime Unity: AIG Garba Backs NIMASA’s Reforms

In a renewed show of commitment to securing Nigeria’s strategic waterways, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Musa Yusuf Garba, has pledged closer collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), applauding the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, for his transformational leadership and drive for operational excellence.

AIG Garba made the pledge during a high-level working visit to NIMASA’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, a move hailed by industry watchers as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s quest to consolidate maritime security and economic development under its Blue Economy agenda.

According to a statement by ASP Adebayo Rasheed, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the visit marks a pivotal point in the deepening relationship between the Maritime Police Command and NIMASA. It reinforces their shared mandate to uphold maritime safety, enforce regulatory compliance, and deter criminality across Nigeria’s vast territorial waters.

READ ALSO : Customs Strikes Hard: Operation Whirlwind Intercepts 39,425 Litres of Smuggled Petrol Worth ₦63.4 Million

A Tribute to Steadfast Maritime Governance

Speaking during the visit, AIG Garba expressed deep appreciation for NIMASA’s enduring partnership, particularly commending Dr. Mobereola’s “remarkable strides in maritime governance” and unwavering support for inter-agency collaboration.

“We are here to reaffirm our commitment to a partnership that is already yielding tangible results. Under Dr. Mobereola’s stewardship, NIMASA has set a high bar for regulatory leadership and operational efficiency,” Garba stated.

He emphasized that the complexity of maritime security requires unified action among key stakeholders, noting that the Maritime Police Command remains dedicated to working hand-in-hand with NIMASA to bolster institutional capacity and align with both national and international maritime obligations.

AIG Musa Yusuf Garba (left) and NIMASA DG Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right) exchange plaques during a courtesy visit at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos

NIMASA: Stronger Together for Safer Waters

Responding to the AIG’s remarks, Dr. Mobereola echoed the need for sustained synergy between law enforcement and regulatory bodies. He stressed that maritime threats such as piracy, smuggling, and other transnational crimes could only be effectively countered through coordinated action and robust intelligence sharing.

“At NIMASA, we view inter-agency collaboration not just as a strategic imperative, but as a moral responsibility. Together with the Maritime Police Command, we are building a maritime future that is secure, efficient, and globally respected,” Mobereola affirmed.

He further pledged that NIMASA would intensify support for joint enforcement operations, strengthen legal frameworks, and continue investing in technological solutions to enhance surveillance and response mechanisms.

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigeria police team

Towards a Maritime Renaissance

Tuesday’s meeting concluded with both agencies reaffirming their shared vision for a more secure and prosperous maritime sector. Key outcomes included commitments to expand intelligence cooperation, streamline enforcement protocols, and scale up training initiatives aimed at professionalizing maritime policing in line with global best practices.

The collaboration stands as a cornerstone for the success of Nigeria’s Blue Economy initiative, which seeks to unlock the country’s ocean-based economic potential through sustainable governance and security of its waters.

As Nigeria looks to position itself as a leading maritime hub in West Africa, the strategic alliance between NIMASA and the Maritime Police Command signals a hopeful trajectory—one where security, regulation, and development converge to steer the nation towards greater maritime prosperity.