Nigeria’s Practical Demonstration of Deep Blue Assets’ Capabilities Excites International Maritime Community
Attendees seated on board of another special mission vessel of the deep blue project, DB Abuja keenly watching the show
Nigerians, alongside some international community members led by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary General, Dominguez were recently caught in awe when Nigeria practical demonstrated its capabilities of the multi-million dollars Deep Blue Assets, the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, as part of itineraries planned for the visit of the IMO scribe.
The stimulated demonstration showcase which took place last Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at the underwater jetty of the Nigerian Navy, Ojo in Lagos on the 3rd day of Dominguez visit to Nigeria, was greeted with precision and technical accuracy.
On ground to witness the demonstration was the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, senior security officials and Naval personnel including invited journalists who were all seated on board of another special mission vessel of the deep blue project, DB Abuja.
One of the special mission vessels, DB Lagos was deployed as the attacked vessel by pirates in the fast-paced operation that was complimented with two special mission helicopters, four fast interceptor boats, which were deployed to foil the pirate attack on DB Lagos.
However, the stimulation exercise showcased the fast and timely intervention of the security personnel of the Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the deep blue project, that manned two special mission helicopters, as well as the four fast interceptor boats, who neutralized the attackers, arrested the pirates, and rescued the member crew of the attacked vessel in a swift and precise operation.
Another scene of note was the professional and swiftness at which the injured victims were recovered and taken to the hospital from the vessel to the waiting rescue helicopter through its rope ladders.
The captivating and successful aerial Deep Blue Assets anti-piracy capacities demonstration show, which was professionally carried out with precision by the detailed security officials blew away all present at the occasion, including the IMO scribe, Arsenio Dominguez, as well as other watchers of event in the neighborhood. It was indeed a sight to behold of a brilliant rescue capacity coming from the Nigerian Nation.
During an interview session, the IMO Secretary, Dominguez thanked the Nigeria’s Government, the Marine and Blue Ministry, NIMASA, and particularly the Deep Blue team for their efforts so far in attaining this level of safeguarding the nation’s waterways and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
He however described the rescue display as one of the most impressive displays he had seen and experienced.
“This is one of the very interesting display I have ever seen and experienced. And the reality is that we know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
“I really encourage the government to sustain this project, because the results are there. The fact that for the last three years, there has been not a single piracy attack in the national waters of Nigeria just demonstrates the effectiveness”.
“And of course this also demonstrates and replicates the fact that commerce will return and come back” the IMO chief declared.
On Nigeria’s Category ‘C’ title race at the IMO, Dominguez said the International Maritime Organisation works with 176 member states, as he encouraged Nigeria to continue their campaign for the election into the IMO Council.
According to him, “They have been there before. They know that they are doing very good work. And I wish them a lot of success in the elections” the IMO scribe also declared.
On his part, an elated and very impressed Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to reclaim the elusive seat in the category C of the IMO.
The Minister promised to go back to the Headquarters of the IMO in London to intensify the campaign and lobby to ensure that Nigeria is elected into the council.
“I want to say that the Deep Blue project is a multi- layered security architecture that has earned Nigeria a zero piracy for the past three years.
“And it is not enough for us to say so. It is important for people, particularly the Secretary General, to witness the demonstration. It’s not a fluke, it’s a reality.
“And I must commend the various agencies, the security agencies particularly, for the collaboration. That means with teamwork, there’s nothing you cannot achieve. We will try to sustain it.
“It’s tough in terms of funding. But the federal government is determined to ensure that there’s no piracy in the waters. That’s part of what will allow us to harness the potential of the economy.
“I must commend all the people that are involved, the CEO of the management team, all the various agencies that have contributed in getting this thing to this stage. I’m proud of the fact that the SG is able to look at this. I’ll come back to the UK to be able to convince them that Nigeria deserves to be a member of the Council of IMO.
“We’re looking at being part of the Council from November this year. But the ultimate, like I mentioned to you yesterday, is for us to get to the UK” Oyetola enthused.
It would be recalled that the official launch of assets under the deep blue project on Thursday, June 10th, 2021 in Lagos by the late President Mohammadu Buhari.
The Deep Blue Project, which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Federal Ministry of Defence, is being implemented by NIMASA.
The main objective of the Deep Blue Project is to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. The Project has three categories of platforms to tackle maritime security on land, sea, and air.
The land assets include the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) for intelligence gathering and data collection; 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit.
The sea assets include two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats. The air assets comprise two Special Mission Aircraft for surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); three Special Mission Helicopters for search and rescue operations; and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
The Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the Deep Blue Project, comprises personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, and Department of State Services
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