NIMASA Deploys Drones, Armoured Vehicles to Strengthen Maritime Security

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has introduced advanced surveillance technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and armoured vehicles; under its Deep Blue Project to enhance security and curb illegal activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.

The new equipment was unveiled on Tuesday by Tal Spektor, Chief Executive Officer of HLS International, NIMASA’s technical partner on the project, during the Africa International Defence Exhibition in Lagos.

Spektor explained that the project, which operates under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, delivers comprehensive maritime security through intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated enforcement.

He noted that the project’s Command and Control Centre enables authorities to monitor vessels entering Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), providing critical data on vessel ownership, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) identification numbers, Automatic Identification System (AIS) status, and other intelligence required to track suspicious movements. He added that recent upgrades to the system have significantly improved the monitoring of cargo movements.

The newly deployed assets include a light utility vehicle for land operations, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV, a newly delivered armoured vehicle, and tactical equipment for the project’s special operations unit.

Spektor highlighted that the VTOL drone’s ability to take off and land vertically allows it to operate from vessels at sea or on land, providing vital day and night surveillance. He emphasized that continuous technological upgrades are necessary to maintain operational effectiveness against evolving maritime threats.

The armoured vehicle will support special forces in diverse operational environments, while the tactical gear includes night-vision devices, uniforms, arms, and ammunition.

Spektor stressed that maritime security operations must extend beyond the water, as offshore crimes often originate on land.

“Any illegal activity at sea will always start from the land, hence the importance of strengthening the operational capacity of personnel working under the Deep Blue Project,” he said.

Beyond combating piracy, militancy, and arms trafficking, Spektor noted that the Deep Blue Project’s expanded mandate includes tackling illegal fishing, protecting the marine environment, enforcing regulations, and safeguarding government revenue. He warned that illegal fishing threatens coastal livelihoods, while the unauthorized disposal of hazardous waste at sea harms marine ecosystems and public health.

He also linked maritime security to Nigeria’s economic interests, noting that improved enforcement strengthens confidence in the maritime environment. While the benefits may not always be immediately visible to the public, they directly impact the safety of sea-transported goods, maritime insurance costs, and broader international trade conditions.

Spektor credited the collaborative efforts of NIMASA, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Ministry of Defence, and other security agencies for notable improvements in Nigeria’s global maritime reputation. These gains, he said, contributed to Nigeria’s removal from international maritime blacklists, its election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, and the lifting of American sanctions after 12 years.

Describing the Deep Blue Project as a model for civil-security cooperation, Spektor reaffirmed HLS International’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s maritime objectives through technology, training, and operational assistance.