Gulf of Guinea Focus: Week 15
- Agwe Global
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
The ugly recurrence of boat mishaps and its attendant fatalities, damages and losses of valuables and goods within the nation’s waterways transportation system has scaled down significantly, since the commencement of safety campaigns and sensitization across
riverine locations with pronounced waterways transportation. Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Kevin Okonna, who dropped above hint, March 24, 2025, at the inland waterways safety awareness workshop organized for boat operators and
waterways commuters in Oron, Akwa Ibon State, said the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) remains upbeat at ensuring the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people, especially people
involved in riverine and inland waterways transportation.
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The Nigerian Navy has rescued a commercial cargo boat from suspected kidnappers along the Bonny River, as part of efforts at protecting critical national infrastructure and securing Nigeria’s maritime domain. The Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha said the incident occurred at about 02:20 pm, March 28, 2025. Almustapha noted that the NNFOB Bonny’s anti-kidnapping team rescued the boat and its crew after suspected armed kidnappers commandeered it into a creek around Opuadakiri Creek along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route. He said, “ 28
March 2025, FOB Bonny Anti-Kidnapping Team embarked on routine patrol around Bonny Anchorage, Open Water and Yellow Platform up to the limit of the Base’s Area of Operation. During the patrol, security checks were carried out on passenger boats plying through the area.
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Three Chinese nationals are missing and feared kidnapped following a suspected pirate attack on a Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel. According to a statement from the Ghanaian navy, seven armed assailants boarded the vessel, MENGXIN 1, and fired warning shots
shortly before 6 p.m. local time. The attackers remained on board for approximately three hours while some crew members took cover in hiding. After the suspected pirates departed, the crew emerged to find that the ship’s captain, chief mate, and chief engineer were
missing. The vessel has since docked at Tema Fishing Harbour as investigations into the incident continue. The Ghanaian navy has classified the event as a “suspected pirate attack.”
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Amid traffic gridlock as a result of closed Independence Bridge, Ahmadu-Bello-Marina area, Victoria Island, Lagos, tragedy struck in the early hours of yesterday, as a fully loaded LAGFERRY passenger boat suddenly went up in flames at Ipakodo Ferry Terminal, Island, leaving many injured. The immediate or remote cause of the explosion could not be
confirmed at press time. Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, confirmed the explosion. According to a statement by the Public Affairs Unit of the authority, the fire occurred about 6:45a.m., at the Ipakodo Ferry Terminal in Ikorodu, involving the LAGFERRY vessel, “Igbega Eko,” which was en-route to Victoria Island. “Upon receiving the distress call, LASWA’s emergency response team swiftly mobilised to the scene, working in close coordination with LAGFERRY, boat operators and other first responders to manage the situation effectively.
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The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with SIFAX Group in ensuring the security of Nigeria’s coastal and maritime environment. Speaking during a courtesy visit to SIFAX Group’s management, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Michael Gregory Oamen, expressed appreciation for SIFAX Group’s unwavering support to the Navy. He emphasized the critical role of collaboration between the military and private sector
stakeholders in maintaining a secure and thriving maritime industry. “We have a constitutional mandate to secure our maritime domain for both economic activities and national security, “This is not a task we can accomplish alone. Over the years, our cooperation with key maritime stakeholders like SIFAX Group has been instrumental in
achieving our objectives,” he said.
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The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has arrested and handed over 27 suspected drug peddlers alongside illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA). This followed a raid conducted by operatives of the Navy ship at a criminal hideout
in Gidan Drama, located along Malu Road, Apapa. Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos, the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Paul Nimmyel, said the raid which took place, April 5, 2025 was carried out by personnel following credible intelligence received by
the Base about the presence of suspected drug peddlers in Gidan Drama. This, he said, necessitated the deployment of Operation MESA. Represented by the Executive Officer, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, Nimmyel said 27 suspects comprising 24 males and 3
females were arrested with hard drugs and other illicit substances during the raid.
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