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Proposed Nigeria Coast Guard Demands End to Navy “Administrative Interference”
The proposed Nigerian Coast Guard has called on the Nigerian Navy to cease what it describes as unwarranted interference in its administrative operations, following recent arrests of Coast Guard members in Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement issued by spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniran, the group argued that determining the legitimacy of Coast Guard personnel falls outside the Nigerian Navy’s jurisdiction
“It is not within the purview of the Nigerian Navy to determine the legitimacy of Coast Guard members and dictate this information to the public,” Adeniran stated. “The Nigeria Coast Guard operates independently and has its own protocols for verifying the credentials of its members.”
The proposed Coast Guard expressed concern that Navy involvement in their administrative matters “serves only to create confusion and disrupt operations.”
The organization demanded the immediate release of Coast Guard members recently arrested in Akwa Ibom State, describing them as “dedicated members of the proposed Nigeria Coast Guard” who should not face “unjust detention from unwarranted interference.”
Adeniran emphasized the need for clear jurisdictional boundaries between the two maritime agencies. “It is essential for both the Nigerian Navy and the proposed Nigeria Coast Guard to respect each other’s jurisdictions and collaborate effectively within their respective mandates,” he said.
The statement called for cooperation based on mutual respect, suggesting both agencies could “work together towards enhancing maritime security in Nigeria without undue interference or conflicts.”
The Nigerian Navy has not issued an official response regarding the proposed Coast Guard or the recent arrests.
However, maritime stakeholders have previously expressed support for establishing a dedicated Coast Guard, with some recommending it focus on law enforcement in inland waters while the Navy maintains responsibility for defense operations within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The jurisdictional dispute highlights ongoing questions about the proposed Coast Guard’s official status and operational mandate within Nigeria’s maritime security framework.