Immigration Rallies Customs, Security Agencies Against Terror Threats in Gulf of Guinea
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a coordinated effort to unite key security and policy stakeholders in response to escalating terror threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
At a high-level security forum held in Lagos, the NIS brought together the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), policy institutions, and other maritime stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to counter terrorism, smuggling, illegal migration, and other transnational crimes plaguing the region.
Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, in her address, emphasized the urgent need for synergy and intelligence sharing among agencies to secure the strategic maritime corridor.
“The Gulf of Guinea faces increasingly sophisticated threats. Terror groups exploit border weaknesses and maritime gaps. It is imperative that we stand united and proactive in our response,” she said.
The Gulf of Guinea has long been a vital economic zone, but in recent years it has also emerged as a hotspot for piracy, armed robbery at sea, and terrorism-linked activities. Security experts warn that porous borders and limited surveillance create easy passage for criminal networks.
During the forum, agencies agreed on a multi-agency framework aimed at improving joint patrols, cross-border intelligence fusion, and coordinated emergency response.
Representatives also advocated for enhanced training, modern surveillance equipment, and a harmonized legal framework to back enforcement operations.
Customs Comptroller-General,.Adewale.Adeniyi highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, stating that criminal activities in coastal waters often have direct connections to inland smuggling and arms trafficking networks.
“No agency can tackle this challenge alone. Collaboration is our strongest weapon,” he said.
Policy experts present at the meeting also urged the government to strengthen regional treaties and partnerships with neighboring countries to ensure a unified West African response to maritime terrorism.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a Joint Action Plan that outlines immediate steps for operational coordination, regular intelligence meetings, and community-based monitoring to detect suspicious movements.
Security analysts have welcomed the initiative as a crucial step in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and sustaining regional peace.
However, they stress that consistent funding, political backing, and accountability will be key to its success.
