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

Troops kill 3 militants in clashes in southern Philippine islands

MANILA, March 20 (Xinhua) — Philippine troops have killed three militants, including an alleged Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, in two separate clashes in the jungles of Jolo island in southern Philippine provinces of Sulu and Basilan, the military said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the military said Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Angah Ajid and another militant, Sarih Edris, were killed during a firefight that broke out on Tuesday in a remote village of Talipao town.

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Source: xinhuanet.com

Bourbon PSV Escapes Pirate Attack off Nigeria

In late February, the Bourbon Offshore PSV Bourbon Explorer 502 escaped an attempted pirate attack that bore remarkable similarity to the boarding and kidnapping that occurred off Nigeria on March 10.

On the morning of February 28, as the Bourbon Explorer 502 was operating about 30 nm southwest of Bonny Island in the Gulf of Guinea, she was approached by 16 armed pirates in two speedboats. In response, her bridge crew increased speed and started evasive maneuvers. All non-essential personnel mustered in the vessel’s citadel.

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Source: maritime-executive.com

16 fishermen hijacked from the Bay of Bengal

Sumon Shikdar, Barguna

The robbers looted the fish, fuel, and fishing nets from the trawlers, and abducted the fishermen Pirates hijack 16 fishermen and four fishing boats from the Bay of Bengal near Barguna.

President of Barguna district fishing trawler owners association, Golam Mustafa Chowdhury, confirmed the abduction of the fishermen and their boats from Jahajkhari, Bay of Bengal, on Friday night.

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Source: dhakatribune.com

2 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed, another captured

By BONG GARCIA

TWO Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while another was captured in separate clashes in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said no casualty was reported on the government side in both clashes. The Abu Sayyaf bandits are on the run.

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Source: sunstar.com.ph

Importers Pay N988bn Risk Surcharge For Nigerian-bound Vessels

By YUSUF BABALOLA

Nigerian importers have paid about $2.74 billion (N987.77 billion at prevailing rate of N360/$) in three years following the categorisation of Nigerian waters as a war risk, a development that spiked insurance premiums slammed on vessels and cargoes destined for Nigeria.

LEADERSHIP recalls that foreign shipping companies slammed war surcharge premium, a supplementary carrier charge that is only applied when insurance underwriters designate specific zones as war risks.

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Source: leadership.ng

Terror swoop nets 13 linked to Sulu, Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups

PETALING JAYA: Police say 12 Filipinos and one local were arrested on suspicion of terrorist activities in anti-terror operations in Semporna and Tambunan last week.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the suspects were believed to be involved with the Abu Sayyaf and Royal Sulu Force (RSF) militant groups.

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Source: freemalaysiatoday.com

Niger Delta Agitators Threaten Fresh Oil War, Ask Buhari to Restrain Amaechi

By Emma Amaize

Activists in Niger -Delta, weekend, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, under control before he plunges the nation into another full-blown oil war.

The campaigners under the auspices of 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, in a statement by self-styled “General” Izon Ebi, said, “This will happen if our rights, aspiration and determination of the people to use their PVCs to choose or elect our preferred candidate and representatives are further trampled upon.”

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Source: allafrica.com

Draft maritime zones bill proposes special tribunal

Shakhawat Hossain

The government has drafted the Maritime Zones Bill proposing establishment of a special tribunal to deal with piracy, robbery and maritime violence in the Bangladesh territorial waters settled through legal battles with against India and Myanmar in an international court.

The draft proposed death sentence or life term in addition to forfeiture of property for causing death while committing and offence and indentified two ‘grey areas’ with India and Myanmar.

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Source: newagebd.net

Niger Delta Amnesty Project Probe

The inauguration of a special panel by the Federal Government to probe alleged looting of assets of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme is a warning signal that all is not well with a programme that was meant to defuse militancy in the restive Niger Delta region.

While government is committed to making life better for the people of the Niger Delta, some unscrupulous elements are frustrating the good intentions of government and by so doing stoking fire of avoidable violence.

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Source: allafrica.com