Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT (NNS BEECROFT) yesterday convened a gathering that introduced safety businesses, the Apapa native authorities head, maritime operators and group representatives collectively to strengthen the combat in opposition to drug trafficking, human smuggling and different felony actions threatening Lagos waterways and port communities.
Leading the cost, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, stated it was aimed toward bettering intelligence sharing, coordinating safety operations and establishing efficient channels by which stakeholders can report suspicious actions and rising threats.
At the maritime stakeholders’ assembly, the Commander stated securing the maritime area required the lively participation of organisations and communities working inside it.
He stated the assembly was organised in step with the imaginative and prescient and mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, and the initiative of the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, to advertise a standard method to maritime safety.
“Legitimate commercial business should be encouraged. It is criminality that we are discouraging,” Aliu stated, stressing that the target was to guard lawful business actions whereas stopping felony networks from exploiting the waterways.
The assembly comes amid persevering with safety issues throughout Lagos’s maritime hall and adjoining communities. Aliu disclosed that NNS BEECROFT had seized 23 baggage of illicit medication since February 2026 and rescued 25 stowaways from business vessels between March and September.
The recovered medication, together with hashish and different illicit substances, have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), whereas the rescued stowaways have been transferred to the Nigerian Immigration Service for additional motion.
The drug seizures have been recorded throughout operations at Abule Osun, Gidan Drama, Ikare Island and Alfa Beach. In July, naval personnel recovered 11 baggage of hashish weighing 756 kilogrammes from a picket boat at Alfa Beach.
The rescued stowaways have been intercepted at Lagos Anchorage, Lekki, the Dangote terminal, Takwa Bay and different places. They included Nigerians and international nationals from neighbouring African nations.
Aliu additionally reported joint operations involving the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA and the Lagos State Security Task Force.
The operations focused drug trafficking and different felony actions, in addition to violations of restrictions on business bikes in designated areas. They included the arrests of two suspected drug sellers at Gidan Drama in February and 9 others round Agbo Malu in Apapa in September.
In flip, the Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, known as for sustained safety operations in opposition to drug trafficking, unlawful arms motion, human trafficking and youngster abuse.
She expressed concern over allegations that drug sellers have been concentrating on schoolchildren by disguising illicit substances as sweets, doubtlessly exposing younger folks to drug abuse, gang violence and different felony actions.
Senbanjo stated Apapa’s significance as a serious port metropolis made coordinated safety efforts important, given the continual motion of individuals, items and business vessels by the world.
While commending the Navy, police and different safety businesses for his or her collaboration with the council, she urged them to accentuate operations in weak communities, notably places recognized regionally as Gidan Drama 1 and Gidan Drama 2.
She stated additional motion was wanted at Gidan Drama 2 following earlier demolition efforts at Gidan Drama 1.
The council chairman urged residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious actions, particularly these involving youngsters, weak individuals and suspected felony hideouts.
She additionally famous that the Lagos State Government, below Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had continued to interact safety businesses by the state’s safety council, expressing hope that the interventions can be sustained.
Furthermore, Commodore Adams-Aliu stated the stakeholders’ assembly would discover sensible methods to enhance info alternate and be certain that safety businesses acquired well timed and helpful reviews from maritime operators and host communities.
Proposed preparations included designated safety focal individuals, established communication channels, standardised incident reviews and suggestions to organisations offering info.
He urged stakeholders to promptly report suspicious actions, safety incidents and rising threats to the suitable authorities.
Describing the prevailing safety scenario in Lagos waters and adjoining areas as comparatively calm, he stated steady surveillance and intelligence gathering remained needed to forestall felony actions.
He known as for stronger info sharing among the many Navy, police, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and different related establishments, noting that coordinated responses would assist defend authentic companies and coastal communities.
The assembly ended with a name for sustained engagement among the many Navy, safety businesses, authorities authorities, maritime operators and residents to strengthen safety coordination and defend lives and property throughout Lagos waterways and port communities.
