The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said that maritime security improved much in the last five months.
The Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughar, made the disclosure during a visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos Office.
Ayo-Vaughar said that a number of people, including seafarers were taken hostage by pirates in the past.
“A lot of people were taken hostage by sea pirates. Seafarers, who were going for their businesses,
coming for maritime commerce and trading in Nigeria, were affected.
“It affected the insurance premiums of many vessels.
“This was beginning to affect our trade, but the narrative has changed due to the efforts of
the Nigerian Navy and with collaboration from regional and national maritime stakeholders,’’ he said.
The spokesman said that in the past five months, piracy on Nigeria’s waters had been dealt with.
“The International Maritime Bureau, the Defense Web and International Maritime Reporters have alluded to the fact that Nigeria is no longer a piracy-prone nation.
“It is a big plus for us. It is as a result of hard work of the Nigerian Navy, the will of political class and maritime stakeholders.
“We are happy for this and are putting in efforts to sustain it for the good of Nigeria,” he said.
NAN
