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PHOTOS: NAF, NIMASA Deepen Partnership to Secure Nigeria’s Waters
The Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening air–maritime collaboration aimed at enhancing maritime domain security and safeguarding Nigeria’s waters.
This followed a courtesy visit by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja on February 20, 2026.
A statement signed by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.
The strategic engagement focused on consolidating operational synergy in support of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project and advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda through enhanced surveillance and coordinated maritime security operations.
Speaking during the visit, Mobereola stressed that maritime security remains fundamental to economic stability, international trade and sustained investor confidence. He highlighted Nigeria’s reported record of zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the last four years, describing the milestone as a testament to the professionalism and coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.
According to him, the achievement has strengthened Nigeria’s reputation in the global maritime community and created a safer environment for commercial activities.
He noted that the growing volume of maritime traffic along Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways requires sustained vigilance, advanced surveillance capabilities and rapid response mechanisms.
He emphasised that closer partnership with the Air Force would ensure continuous aerial oversight, timely intelligence sharing and proactive deterrence necessary to protect maritime assets and unlock the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff assured the NIMASA delegation of the Air Force’s readiness to deepen operational cooperation.
Aneke outlined the service’s air capabilities tailored to maritime security roles, including long-range surveillance aircraft, maritime patrol-configured platforms, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as rapid-response air assets capable of swift deployment across coastal corridors.
He explained that these platforms provide real-time situational awareness, precision tracking and coordinated response options critical to securing sea lines of communication and offshore infrastructure.
The Air Chief further stated that the integration of advanced sensors, data-link systems and inter-agency communication frameworks enables seamless information flow and coordinated operations, describing air power as a decisive force multiplier in maritime security enforcement.
The renewed partnership, both agencies noted, aligns with the President’s drive to harness Nigeria’s vast maritime resources for sustainable development by reinforcing the security architecture required for economic growth, job creation and long-term national prosperity.
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Residents of Ondo State have condemned the commissioning of a borehole and one tricycle ambulance by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as part of activities marking his first-year anniversary in office.
According to some of the residents, the state, being one of the oil-producing states in the country, deserves better, particularly as it receives huge allocations from FAAC.
In commemoration of his first anniversary in office as governor, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, a few days ago commissioned the tricycle ambulance and a 100,000-litre water supply scheme at the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital complex.
Infuriated by the development, a human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, described the situation as an affliction.
He said, “An oil-producing state reduced to using a Kéké as an ambulance? Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa presides over a state that receives derivation funds from oil revenue. Ondo is not bankrupt. Ondo is not landlocked. Ondo is not a war zone. Yet, citizens in medical distress are transported in tricycles? It is finished!.
On his part, a resident, who simply gave his name as Odunayo, said the commissioning can best be described as a show of shame, stressing that “it is truly disheartening to see Ondo State gradually losing its place among leading states.
“Imagine the government publicly commissioning a renovated primary health centre and a tricycle ambulance; it says a lot about the priorities of the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
“This should not be celebrated as a landmark achievement. It raises serious concerns about the scale of development and ambition in the state. One even wonders whether the funds spent on mobilising for the commissioning ceremony may rival or exceed the actual cost of the project itself.
Oluwaseun Fashedemi: “This is so shameful for a governor to commission a Keke Maruwa ambulance. Ondo State citizens, how did you all get it wrong with bad governors?”
For Raphael Oyetogun, “What a shame. Local government chairmen are commissioning bigger projects far beyond these in Lagos State. While Wike built 13 flyovers, Alex Otti is working on bigger projects in Abia, and Zulum is doing greater works in Bornu State. Come to Delta State and see what Sheriff is doing in just 2 years.
“How did we get here in Ondo State? And some people are here applauding this government.”
Reacting to the development, Yomi Oyekan, an aide to Aiyedatiwa, stated that the tricycle ambulances are not a replacement for standard ambulances, disclosing that they are a strategic addition.
According to Oyekan, the ambulance tricycles were designed specifically for hard-to-reach rural communities, riverine areas, and narrow roads where conventional ambulances struggle to access quickly.
“Healthcare delivery is not about optics; it is about accessibility and saving lives. It is quite interesting to see some critics suddenly develop selective outrage over the recent distribution of modified tricycle ambulances.
“Were they blind when the administration of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa unveiled and distributed fully equipped conventional ambulances across the state? Were they silent when emergency medical services were strengthened, response systems upgraded, and healthcare facilities supported with life-saving equipment?
“Governance requires practical solutions tailored to real terrain and real people. Ondo State deserves both conventional ambulances for highways and advanced emergencies and agile tricycle units for interior communities. Selective criticism does not save lives; responsive leadership does.”
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