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Regional Cooperation to Counter Terrorism on the Gulf of Guinea

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Governments in West and Central Africa have come together to combat piracy, terrorism, and other transnational organized crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigeria Immigration Service has organized a regional workshop on maritime border security, where international security organizations discussed strategic moves against terrorism and criminal activities. The workshop emphasized the collective resolve of governments to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and stowaways, highlighting the importance of sound policies, capacity building, community engagement, collaboration, and regional partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, and international security organizations are in talks to counter terrorism on the Gulf of Guinea.
  • The workshop aims to achieve maritime security through sound policies, capacity building, community engagement, collaboration, and regional partnerships.
  • The Gulf of Guinea is known for piracy, especially near Nigeria, and spans several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana.
  • Maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes threaten vessel and crew safety, undermining regional stability and hindering economic growth.
  • The Nigeria Immigration Service plays a pivotal role in maritime border security, and the NIS is dedicated to utilizing API/PNR for better intelligence sharing and strengthening maritime security through robust visa administration.
  • The ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting was held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from February 25 to 27, 2025, to discuss critical maritime security issues in the region.
  • The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service emphasized the need for innovating countermeasures by deploying advanced surveillance systems and communication technologies for early detection and response.
  • The workshop has resulted in the adoption of a plan to use the Yaounde Code of Conduct 2013 and the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy to strengthen cooperation among states, adhere to relevant international conventions and protocols, and build capacity.
  • The Nigeria Customs Service stressed the need to close existing gaps in the country's financial system, which terrorists have exploited to fund their activities.

Statistics:

  • The Gulf of Guinea spans several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana.
  • The workshop has participants from 17 countries, including Italy, the Philippines, Mauritius, Togo, Britain, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome, Germany, and Denmark.
  • The ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting was held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from February 25 to 27, 2025.
  • The Yaounde Code of Conduct 2013 and the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy will be used to strengthen cooperation among states, adhere to relevant international conventions and protocols, and build capacity.

Sources:

  • "Regional Workshop on Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea."
  • Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Kemi Nana Nandap.
  • ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting in Praia, Cabo Verde (February 25-27, 2025).
  • Yaounde Code of Conduct 2013.
  • ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy.

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