Seafarers not involved in piracy attacks — Union

By Godfrey Bivbere & Cynthia Alo T

The Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, NMNOWTSSA, has denied reports linking piracy attacks on the nation’s waterways to seafarers.

The Union explained that the report that was recently carried in some sections of the media is a mere move by unscrupulous individuals to tarnish the image of seafarers noting that no qualified seafarer will be involved in such illegal act.

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Source: vanguardngr.com

Only nine of 33 security points on Lagos waterways manned — Navy

By Godfrey Bivbere

There are indications that the Nigerian Navy may have been over-stretched in securing the waterways in the Lagos area as only nine out of 33 security points presently along the water area are manned.

Giving this indication at the meeting organised by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, NCS, in Lagos, the Command Operation Officer of the Western Naval Command, Capt. M. M. Braimoh said that apart from this, they have arrested 33 offending vessels in the last six months, but two of them have sunk.

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Source: vanguardngr.com

Security At Nigerian Ports Improves Tremendously — NIMASA DG

By Sunday Bassey

Uyo, – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said on Tuesday that it had improved security tremendously within the country’s maritime space .

The Director General of the agency, Mr Dakuku Peterside, who made this known in an interactive session with newsmen in Uyo, noted that the security of vessels at the ports had improved from 12 per cent to 80 per cent.

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Source: sundiatapost.com

Nigeria: Govt – Deep Blue Project Will End Criminalities in Our Waters

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has reiterated the federal government’s determination to rid the Nigerian territorial waters of criminalities through the Integrated Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project.

Amaechi disclosed this in Lagos during the graduation ceremony for participants of the C4I Intelligence System Operator Course for the Deep Blue Project.

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Source: allafrica.com

Defence minister wants African Navies to unite against sea criminals

Philip Nwosu

Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has called for transnational efforts towards fighting maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

The minister, who spoke at the closing ceremonies for the 2019 edition of Exercise Obangame Express, said maritime illegalities had become transnational and evolved beyond the scope and capability of one country to combat.

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Source: sunnewsonline.com

Ship Captain Wants Agencies To Support Nigerian Navy To Fight Piracy

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos – Mr Bayo Oyekan, a ship captain, on Monday appealed to stakeholders to support the Nigerian Navy to check the incidence of piracy on the nation’s waters.

Oyekan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the lukewarm attitude of other agencies that were supposed to support the Navy in checking piracy had made the incidence to rise in the Gulf of Guinea.

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Source: sundiatapost.com

Maritime crimes: 80 vessels arrested in 3 years – Naval Chief

PHILIP NWOSU

The Nigerian Navy said it arrested over 80 vessels within the last three years for various maritime offences including oil theft.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the multi-national annual maritime exercise code-named OBANGAME EXPRESS 2019, saying that the vessels were arrested for various acts of maritime illegalities.

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Source: sunnewsonline.com

Kidnapping – off Nigeria (March 20th)

Reports state that a passenger boat was attacked by armed men around 30nm South of Calabar, Nigeria at 0600 LT. Seven armed robbers in one skiff approached the passenger/ro-ro ship and boarded her. They robbed passengers before making off with a reported five hostages.

I have additional details but am waiting for an official incident report before.

Navy seeks better pact with maritime stakeholders for effective prosecution

By Odita Sunday, Jesutomi Akomolafe (Lagos), Kanayo Umeh, Sodiq Omolaoye (Abuja) and Ayodele Afolabi (Ado-Ekiti)

The Nigerian Navy (NN) is seeking better collaboration and understanding with maritime stakeholders for effective prosecution of pirates and sea robbers.

It said that lack of collaboration among relevant government agencies had been the reason why suspects are granted bail in court.

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Source: guardian.ng

Nigerian Waters Are Safe for Merchant Shipping – Shippers’ Council Boss

By Godwin Oritse

The Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive, Nigerian Shippers ‘Council, NSC, Hassan Bello, has said that the imposition of surcharges on Nigerian bound cargo due to imaginary security concerns along the Gulf of Guinea region is a misconception of foreign shipping lines.

He lambasted foreign shipping firms for miscategorization and exaggeration of the security situation in the country to justify surcharges they unjustly levied on cargo destined to Nigeria.

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Source: allafrica.com