Nigeria’s two strategic maritime security management institutions, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have resolved to deepen the synergy between them to achieve the mutual objective of securing the nation’s maritime space.

This was demonstrated at the handover of an arrested vessel, MT SAMONA by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny to NIMASA Bonny Outstation on Monday, August 30, 2021.

The Commanding Officer of FOB Bonny, Capt. Rafiu Taye Oladejo, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer (BOO) of the FOB, Lieutenant Commander Eyioefe Ekah, told Kristina Reports, shortly after handing over the vessel, MT SAMONA to the Chief Enforcement Officer of NIMASA Outstation, Dakoru Egbaimo, that the handover was in furtherance of the inter-agency collaboration between both government institutions.

“It tells of the synergy between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA, likewise the fact that we tend to conduct our maritime operations and effect arrest, and subsequently, hand over erring vessel to the appropriate prosecuting agency for further investigation and sanctions as required by law.”

According to the FOB boss, the vessel was arrested on Sunday, July 25, 2021, for switching off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) and not possessing the relevant documentation from NIMASA to operate in the Nigerian waters, informing that the Naval Headquarters ordered that, in the circumstance, the vessel be handed over to NIMASA for further investigation and appropriate sanctions.

“The vessel was seized due to AIS infraction. We had to arrest the vessel to carry out investigations. We are directed to hand over the seized vessel to the appropriate prosecuting agency, which is NIMASA.”

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) helps ships and other sea going vessels identify each other’s identity and characteristics towards ensuring maritime safety and credibility in the use of the sea.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other maritime management bodies require large ships, including commercial fishing vessels, to broadcast their position with AIS in order to avoid collisions.

This has assisted ground stations and satellites pick up information about ships and other vessels; thus making vessels trackable even in the most remote areas of the ocean as each year, more than 400,000 AIS devices broadcast vessel location, identity, course, and speed information.

On his part, NIMASA’s Chief Enforcement Officer in Bonny Outstation, Dakoru Egbaimo harped on the significance of the hand over, noting that it underscores the robust relationship between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, expressing delight with the fact that with the efforts of the Navy, so far, his Agency’s job has been made easier.

“It shows the relationship we have with the Nigerian Navy, that’s why it has been handed over to us for further investigation. Since the Navy has assisted us in getting these things done, it makes our job a bit easy.”

He explained that NIMASA will conduct due diligence on the alleged infractions for which the vessel was arrested and contemplate prosecution options where necessary, adding that particular attention would be paid to the possible reasons why the vessel’s documentation was not available and why the AIS was off at the point of arrest.

“From the handover note we are made to understand that their AIS was off. It is not certain why the AIS was off, maybe they wanted to perform illegal activities. But, like I said, we are not certain. After our investigation we will find out why the AIS was switched off.”

“We are also made to understand that the relevant documents for them to operate in Nigerian waters were not onboard. In the course of our investigation we will know why the documents were not onboard and the reason why their AIS was switched off.”