8 November 2009
The United States government in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, has organised a three week training programme on maritime security at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Resource Centre situated at Kirikiri in Lagos.
The training course tagged "ATA 6483 Maritime Interdiction of Terrorism Course", was flagged off by the National Security Adviser, who was represented by Brigadier General Bala Ali.
In his opening remark, the NSA described maritime interdiction course as part of efforts aimed at improving capabilities of nations to respond to various range of maritime security challenges. He described the maritime environment as complex, adding that any threat to free flow of commerce in the sector could result to a threat to national security.
The Director General of the Nigerian maritime administration and safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr Temisan Omatseye re-emphasised the commitment of Nigeria to fight terrorism.
In the words of the DG who was represented by the Agency's Director Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards, Captain Ibrahim Olugbade, " NIMASA has recognized the danger to life, safe navigation and environmental risks associated with piracy, armed robbery and terrorism against ships in the nation's maritime domain.
We are committed to suppressing any act capable of undermining the security of maritime infrastructure and ships on Nigerian waters.
The course is designed for junior officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the maritime law enforcement agencies. Participations include representatives from the Nigerian Navy (NN), Nigeria Police (NP), State Security Services (SSS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Presidential Committee on Maritime Safety Security (PICOMMS), Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS).
The maritime interdiction on terrorism course is designed to help the partner nation, increase its overall anti-terrorism capabilities and improve the skill level of both maritime boarding officers and small boat coxswains in the proper use of available resources with a maritime interdiction assignment. This course combines basic maritime law enforcement and port security with an understanding of how terrorists operate and how fast moving water-borne craft are utilised as suicide bombs.
The three weeks course will be a classroom based format involving lectures, group discussions and practical exercises.
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