The militarization of NIMASA

There also have been turf fights between the agency and many commercial entities, like for instance the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company over revenue payment, causing huge export losses for the firm. The controversy surrounding the award of a multi-billion dollar renewable contract for maritime and oil pipeline security to a firm owned by […]

There also have been turf fights between the agency and many commercial entities, like for instance the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company over revenue payment, causing huge export losses for the firm. The controversy surrounding the award of a multi-billion dollar renewable contract for maritime and oil pipeline security to a firm owned by Tompolo is yet to be sufficiently addressed by the government.
Recently, there were reports in the media in Norway that Tompolo had purchased seven decommissioned Norwegian warships that had been refitted and refurbished. According to the reports, the vessels included six Hauk-class boats armed with guided missiles.
Given Tompolo’s antecedents, and his recent behaviour, which in one recent incident caused the cancellation of an event in Delta State at which President Jonathan was scheduled to be the guest of honour, the latest development adds to a string of events that, when connected, should raise alarm bells. Indeed, at least one member of the House of Representatives has called the armed ships acquisition ‘scary’. It is scary, despite attempts by NIMASA’s DG Akpoolokemi to explain the incident away.
 Akpobolokemi at least admitted the fact that the vessels are indeed warships, but noted that they were purchased for the Navy which he said used them to ‘police’ Nigeria’s territorial waters.
“It is the Navy that has fitted their guns on the vessels to aid their policing of the maritime domain. The Agency (NIMASA) is made up of civilians who are professionals in various fields and who have no political affiliations or interests at all. As an arm of the government responsible for maritime safety, security and regulations among others, we work in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant security agencies to use their men and arms to patrol and provide safety of the country’s water ways,” he said.
It is not surprising that Akpobolokemi was at pains to point out that NIMASA’s activities do not involve armed engagement or the acquisition of combat watercraft. NIMASA was involved in a previous debate over a proposal to create a Maritime Security Agency (MASECA) to succeed the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS). The stated objective was to provide greater protection for merchant vessels against rising levels of piracy. However, the United Nations, in particular, was concerned that MASECA could be in conflict with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which does not allow merchant ships to be armed.
So a contradiction then arises. How come the Nigerian Navy would be made to rely on the procurement of equipment and materials by a private, if problematic source, before it can perform its statutory duty of protecting the nation’s territorial waters?  The link between Navy officers and the firm involved in the procurement of the armed ships needs to be highlighted in any inquiry. Secondly, patrolling coastal waters to deter piracy does not require Hauk-class, missile-enabled ships. In fact, such big vessels would be fruitless in interdicting piracy crafts that are normally small and fast, and would disappear before a Hauk can manoeuvre itself into position. In any case, piracy on Nigeria’s water has been on the rise in recent years, as has crude theft on massive scales, regardless of the surveillance contract.
It becomes clear from all this that the explanations, by both the contractor, Tompolo, and the purported customer, NIMASA, do not add up.  There should be a more credible reason for the clandestine purchase of seven warships by a firm run by a former militant. Only a thorough inquiry by the National Assembly will be able to connect the dots and halt the rapidly increasing militarization of Nigeria’s coastal regions.