In recent years, Nigeria’s efforts at tackling maritime insecurity in its waters has yielded positive results as the country coped for months without any attack on ships within its territorial waters. However, new security threats seem to indicate that sea criminals are changing tactics, writes TOLA ADENUBI.
FOR years, the calmness enjoyed on Nigeria’s waterways has largely been down to the efforts of the Nigerian Navy and the deployment of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project. It is also pertinent to highlight the collaborative efforts of international navies, which has led to the near-zero piracy attacks that the country currently enjoys in its waters vis-à-vis the Gulf of Guinea.
However, recent trend seems to indicate that the successes have not been all due to the presence of the military in and around the Nigerian waters but due to the fact that criminal elements have suddenly shifted focus from container-going vessels to passenger going water crafts.
New trend
At least, 10 maritime travellers were abducted by sea pirates along the Bonny-Port Harcourt waterway recently, bringing to fore the volatile environment pervading water transportation movement within the Port Harcourt to Bonny axis in recent times.
Though details are still sketchy, it was gathered that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning is believed to have involve 10 persons travelling between Bonny and Port Harcourt.
Confirming the incident via the telephone, the District Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State District, Israel Pepple, said: “it is not a rumour; it is real. Ten persons have been kidnapped this (Monday) morning coming from Bonny to Port Harcourt. We have reported to the security agencies.”
Fear factor
For many residents of the riverine communities around the Bonny and Port Harcourt waterways route, the fear of being singled out by the criminal elements carrying out this kidnap-for-ransom cases has led to many of the incidents going unreported.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a frequent visitor to Bonny Island, who wouldn’t want his name in print due to the security reasons, explained that for years, the Bonny to Port Harcourt route has become notorious for kidnap-for-ransom cases.
The source said: “For years, the Bonny to Port Harcourt route has become notorious for kidnap-for-ransom cases. Many of the riverine communities along that route live in fear of these criminals.
“In my own opinion, I think the sea pirates, who had enjoyed many years of unhindered attacks on container going vessels, had to move into the inland waterways to carry out attacks on passenger carrying watercrafts after the Nigerian Navy/NIMASA, in collaboration with some international Navies (who usually come visiting), turned the heat on them on the coastal waters.
“Since attacks on ocean-going vessels went down, attacks on passenger-carrying watercrafts have been sporadic. Many people have been kidnapped and their families have paid heavy ransoms to secure their releases without these incidents being reported.
“Why the recent kidnapping of 10 persons went viral is just because they are members of a labour union that has access to the media and decided to escalate it rather than negotiate with the criminals.
“Before now, this kidnapping has become means of making quick money for these criminal elements. So, the attack and subsequent abduction of the 10 maritime workers is not new in that axis. Bonny-Port Harcourt route is a no-go area for many waterways’ travellers.
“The route has been volatile for months. I just hope the abduction of the maritime workers will spur the various security agencies to move into action and sanitise that route.”
Way forward
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune exclusively, General Secretary of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Oniha Odigie, explained that the union has been briefed about what happened on Monday and have contacted the relevant security agencies to help rescue the abducted union members.
Odigie said: “We have been briefed. It is shocking to hear from people that the Bonny-Port Harcourt route has been like that for months. That the issue of kidnapping has been taking place along that route but going mostly unreported.
“We are collaborating with relevant security agencies to ensure that our members are rescued and the perpetuators brought to book.
“However, it is imperative that the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) apply the same energy that was used to stem attacks on coastal vessels towards the inland waterways. The serenity that the country enjoys on the coastal waters needs to be replicated on her inland waterways.”
Years of terror
Recall that in 2021, residents of Bonny, the host community of the multi-billion dollars Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), staged peaceful protest over incessant attacks by sea pirates on the waterways that connected their community to other parts of the state and the country.
During the protest, some members of the community were seen carrying photographs of mutilated bodies of some of the past victims of pirates’ attacks on passenger-carrying boats.
The peaceful protest tagged, #EndSeaPiracy, took off from the Coal Beach part of the town with the protesters marching through the streets to the King Perekule Palace, close to Ikuba Square in the Madupolo precinct of the town.
From Ikuba Square, the protesting party marched through the Mission Road and then through Hospital Road to the Secretariat of the Bonny Local Government Council.
They complained that in 2020 alone, about 13 attacks by pirates, which resulted in the killing of boat skippers, stealing of boats and maiming of passengers, were recorded on the Bonny waterways.
The protesters then presented a five-point demand to the Amanyanabo and natural ruler of Bonny Kingdom, Edward William Dappa Pepple III and the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha.
The demands include setting up and maintaining security house boats and gunboats with an ambulance at strategic points along the Port Harcourt-Bonny sea route.
The protesters also asked the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Rivers State Government to look into the Bonny Ring Road project to aid security in the island villages in Bonny and set up community surveillance team on sea routes.
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