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How pirate attacks in Gulf of Guinea threaten region’s security

Pirates attack in Gulf of Guinea

There is a lot of activity in the Gulf of Guinea in terms of counter-piracy efforts, as well as trade and attempts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

These factors are about recovery while having to deal with urgent security problems, in this critical area of the African continent.

The maritime security environment in the Gulf of Guinea needs to coalesce around maritime cooperation in terms of logistics and the prevention of threats.

Key ports — including Abidjan and Sassandra in Ivory Coast, the Ports in Nigeria, Kome Kribi 1 Marine Terminal and the Port of Kribi in Cameroon, and Puerto Macias in Equatorial Guinea — are the outlet for hundreds of millions of people along this Atlantic arc of West Africa.

The protection of the Gulf of Guinea and its sea-based economies needs to go beyond current efforts.

The full participation of all states and corporate interests is mandatory for protecting the littoral states, where key ports are operating for the survival of these countries, as well as the landlocked nations behind them.

The piracy problem in the Gulf of Guinea has developed into a curse for seafarers over the past decade.

In 2021, the threat that looms for all seafarers operating in the region is being kidnapped at gunpoint for ransom.
While the overall numbers of pirate attacks are largely unchanged, the violence, scope and sophistication of the attacks on shipping have continued to increase.
Today, they take place across an area that expands more than 200 nautical miles from the pirate bases that are principally located within the Niger Delta.

There are many good reasons to place direct attention on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

One is that the human toll is high both for those directly affected by attacks — through kidnapping, psychological trauma or death — and those indirectly affected by periods of stress because of the constant threat.

BIMCO, the blue-ribbon organization that serves as a major contributor for contending with maritime issues, is pursuing a universal declaration to stop these seaborne acts.

 For BIMCO and the 100-plus country and corporate signatories, these pirate attacks are preventable and are occurring in a small geographical area.
In fact, this maritime threat area is less than one-fifth the size of the area affected by Somali piracy in 2010.
For the signatories, an active naval force with very few assets conducting effective law enforcement could deter and suppress piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
This type of language is important as to how such a naval mission can be accomplished by local navies or navies from other stronger powers who frequent these waters.
Russia, China and Turkey all have such interests, but capacity is another issue.
The key stakeholders in the region, including individual consumers, governments and businesses, are paying increased costs for shipments due to the increased cost of security for visiting merchant ships, on top of the pandemic-related local health requirements.
Here, the overlap of social discontent, piracy and lack of supplies because of shipping interruptions is a toxic brew for dissent.
 This means that Gulf of Guinea governments are prone to the same threat of coup d’etat attempts as seen in three other African countries in the past year, especially those in Mali and Guinea.

Problems abound with the current on-the-ground security situation in terms of halting the piracy phenomena.

Research shows that the continued reliance on locally sourced commercial protection services, which are under the control of the local governments, undermines incentives to carry out effective law enforcement and therefore is not a model that will repress the actions of the pirates in the region.
 This local legal failure shows how deep the problems with governance are in these coastal cities.
Consequently, the poor security situation obstructs economic growth because it prevents investment in the Gulf of Guinea’s ocean-based economy.

Shipping in the Gulf of Guinea is an interesting and challenging business during the pandemic.

When faced with an ongoing piracy threat — and the piracy issue in the region is not new — there is a requirement to adhere to international treaties, as well as mandates from the UN and the World Health Organization on COVID-19 programs across these states.
No doubt that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is an important part of preparing a capable response to help regional anti-piracy law enforcement operations.
Sometimes these security efforts do not work out, so stronger measures are necessary.
It is very important for stakeholders’ desire to improve domain awareness via radars on offshore platforms and the sharing of relevant information between anti-piracy law enforcement forces and agencies.
Most importantly, and probably the most effective action, is providing prison facilities for arrested pirates (ideally in the region) and encouraging coastal states to actively prosecute.
The lack of rule of law in the Gulf of Guinea is a big part of the current problem, which is damaging to human security.

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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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