The Nigerian Navy and Apapa Local Government Area have pledged closer collaboration with security agencies and maritime stakeholders to tackle drug trafficking, illegal migration, child abuse and other criminal activities in Lagos waterways and port communities.
The Nigerian Navy has called for stronger intelligence sharing and cooperation among maritime stakeholders to combat drug trafficking, illegal migration, smuggling and other security threats within Lagos waters and adjoining communities.
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, made the call on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during a maritime stakeholders’ meeting at the base’s conference room in Lagos.
Aliu said the meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration between the Navy, security agencies, maritime operators, government institutions and host communities in line with the vision and mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
He said the initiative was also driven by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, to bring stakeholders together and establish a common approach to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to him, the Navy’s objective is to maintain a crime-free maritime environment that supports legitimate commercial activities while preventing criminal networks from exploiting the nation’s waterways.
“Legitimate commercial business should be encouraged. It is criminality that we are discouraging,” Aliu said, stressing that effective maritime security required the collective commitment of all organisations operating within the sector.
He explained that NNS BEECROFT was responsible for policing inland waterways, harbours and territorial waters along approximately 154 nautical miles of Nigeria’s coastline, covering parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states.
The base also oversees three forward operating bases in Badagry, Lekki and Igbokoda, with a maritime area of responsibility covering approximately 30,800 square nautical miles when the relevant exclusive economic zone is considered.
Aliu described the prevailing security situation within Lagos waters and adjoining areas as relatively calm but requiring continuous surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent criminal activities.
He disclosed that NNS BEECROFT had confiscated a cumulative total of 23 bags of illicit drugs since February 2026 and handed the recovered substances over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The seizures included cannabis and other illicit substances recovered during operations at Abule Osun, Gidan Drama, Ikare Island and Alfa Beach. One of the operations in July led to the recovery of 11 bags of cannabis weighing 756 kilogrammes from a wooden boat at Alfa Beach.
The commander also disclosed that the base had rescued 25 stowaways from commercial vessels and handed them over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further action.
The rescues involved vessels intercepted at Lagos Anchorage, Lekki, the Dangote terminal, Takwa Bay and other locations between March and September 2026. Those rescued included Nigerian nationals and foreign nationals from neighbouring African countries.
He added that NNS BEECROFT had conducted joint operations with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA and other agencies, including the Lagos State Security Task Force.
The operations, he said, targeted drug trafficking, other criminal activities and violations of restrictions on commercial motorcycles in designated parts of Lagos. Among the reported successes were the arrests of two suspected drug dealers at Gidan Drama in February and nine others around Agbo Malu in Apapa in September.
Aliu urged maritime operators, residents and other stakeholders to promptly report suspicious movements, security incidents and emerging threats to the appropriate authorities.
He said the meeting would explore practical reporting arrangements, including designated security focal persons, established communication channels, standardised incident reports and timely feedback to organisations providing useful information.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, called for sustained security operations to address criminal activities affecting the port community, particularly drug trafficking, illegal arms movement, human trafficking and child abuse.
Senbanjo said Apapa’s strategic importance as a major port city made effective security essential, given the movement of people, goods and commercial vessels through the area.
She expressed concern that drug dealers were increasingly targeting schoolchildren, allegedly disguising illicit substances as sweets and exposing young people to drug abuse, gang violence and other criminal activities.
The council chairman commended the Nigerian Navy, police and other security agencies for their collaboration with the local government, noting that the relationship had contributed to improvements in Apapa’s security situation over the years.
However, she urged the agencies to intensify efforts against criminal activities in vulnerable communities, including locations known locally as Gidan Drama 1 and Gidan Drama 2. She said further action was needed at the latter location following earlier demolition efforts at the former.
Senbanjo also called on residents to become more vigilant and report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods, particularly those involving children, vulnerable persons and suspected criminal hideouts.
She said the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had continued to engage security agencies through the state’s security council, expressing hope that ongoing interventions would be sustained.
In his remarks, Aliu reiterated that improved information sharing among the Navy, police, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other relevant institutions would strengthen responses to security threats.
He said the success of the initiative would depend on stakeholders working together, adding that effective cooperation would protect legitimate businesses, secure coastal communities and advance Nigeria’s maritime interests.
The meeting ended with a call for sustained engagement between NNS BEECROFT, government authorities, maritime operators and residents to improve security coordination and protect lives and property across Lagos waterways and port communities.