The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, yesterday in Lagos, disclosed plans by the Navy to extend its operations on anti-piracy to neighbouring nations’ waters.
This move, according to him, became necessary owing to cases of piracy/kidnappings, allegedly by some Nigerians, in neighbouring countries, with distances between 100 nautical miles and 200 nautical miles off the coast of Nigeria.
He, however, said that the move would place an additional burden on Nigeria and the NN, as more ships and logistics would be required for the extended and prolonged patrols.
As the lead agency responsible for security in the maritime environment, the naval Chief informed that the Nigerian Navy’s swift response to illegal activities at sea had reduced the rate of successful attacks in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“Unfortunately, recent observations have revealed the transnational nature and migratory trend of these crimes, especially piracy”, he said, adding that “many piracy/kidnappings are now being perpetrated in neighbouring countries and as far as 100 to 200 nm off the coast, even though the perpetrators are alleged to be mostly Nigerians.”
As part of its regional and collaborative efforts to address maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea, Vice Admiral Gambo disclosed that the Navy was activating specific operations and deploying assets for constant patrols in some parts of the Gulf of Guinea, an action he said had substantially mitigated threats in the domain.
