The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.

The arrest was confirmed by a family representative, Mr Kazeem Olajide, who disclosed that Dr Jamoh was taken into custody on Wednesday, January 29, while returning from court to his residence in Kaduna State. According to him, the former NIMASA chief was intercepted on the road by armed men wearing ICPC jackets.

Mr Olajide said the operatives stopped Dr Jamoh’s vehicle, forcibly took him to his home, and carried out a search of the premises before transporting him to Abuja later the same day.

“In the afternoon of January 29, at about 12:00 noon, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, a law-abiding citizen, was intercepted by gunmen wearing ICPC jackets while returning from court to his residence. He was forcibly taken to his home, which was subsequently raided, before he was moved from Kaduna to Abuja,” Mr Olajide said in a statement made available to journalists.

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Since his arrest, the family says they have been unable to reach Dr Jamoh or confirm his exact location. Mr Olajide alleged that the former NIMASA director-general has been held incommunicado and denied access to both his family and his legal counsel.

“Since his abduction, all efforts to contact or locate Dr. Jamoh have proven unsuccessful. He has been denied access to his family and legal counsel, leaving his loved ones in deep anguish and uncertainty,” he said.

The family expressed fears about Dr Jamoh’s safety and well-being, describing his continued detention without communication as a serious violation of his fundamental human rights. They said the uncertainty surrounding his condition has caused emotional distress and anxiety.

“His continued detention without communication and the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts raise serious concerns about his safety, well-being and the violation of his fundamental human rights,” Olajide added.

He appealed to members of the public to remember the former NIMASA chief in their prayers and to hope for his safety and eventual reunification with his family.

Jamoh’s tenure

Dr. Jamoh served as director-general of NIMASA from 2020 to 2023, during which he oversaw key maritime security initiatives, including Nigeria’s efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Under his leadership, the Deep Blue Project was launched to strengthen maritime surveillance and security, a programme that attracted both praise and scrutiny due to its cost and scope.

His tenure also coincided with major reforms in the maritime sector, including increased enforcement of the cabotage law and revenue drive efforts within the agency. However, like many public institutions, NIMASA has faced allegations of financial mismanagement and contract irregularities over the years, leading to investigations by anti-graft agencies.

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Although the ICPC has not publicly stated the specific allegations against Dr Jamoh, sources say the arrest may be connected to ongoing investigations into the handling of public funds during his time at the agency. The commission has yet to issue an official statement confirming the charges or the conditions of his detention.

Legal analysts say that while anti-corruption agencies are empowered to arrest and investigate suspects, detainees are entitled under Nigerian law to be informed of the reasons for their arrest, to have access to legal representation, and to communicate with their families.

Human rights advocates have also expressed concern about cases of prolonged incommunicado detention, warning that such practices undermine public confidence in the rule of law and due process.

As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC had not responded to requests for comment. The family says it will continue to seek clarity on Dr Jamoh’s whereabouts and condition, while urging authorities to respect his rights as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.