Minister stresses need for comprehensive strategies against maritime threats

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy, stressed the importance of developing comprehensive strategies to combat maritime threats related to drug and human trafficking in Nigeria.

He made this known at an event organised by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron (AMANO) on Thursday at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.

The event, themed “Drug and human trafficking: the evolving maritime security threats to ships and seafarers”, highlighted the growing concern about maritime threats, particularly those related to drug and human trafficking.

Oyetola, represented by Heaky Dimowo, Director of Marine Environment at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), noted that recent trends show a disturbing increase in these threats, which are destabilising communities and posing a challenge to law enforcement at sea.

Oyetola stressed the need for comprehensive strategies, leveraging technology, improving intelligence capabilities and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders to mitigate these threats.

He also stressed the importance of training and capacity development to improve maritime security.

“We must ensure that the knowledge we gain during training is leveraged and integrated into our national strategies that advocate for policy, promote sustainable practices and prioritize the training of personnel in maritime law enforcement and security services.

“It is time to focus our interests and resources on a common goal: a safe and secure maritime domain for all Nigerian seafarers and vessels to create a safer and more prosperous maritime environment that will foster growth and promote a sustainable blue economy,” he said.

Also speaking was Emmanuel Maiguwa, President of MASPAN. He explained that the disruptions caused by drug trafficking have led to a collaboration between MASPAN and AMANO to develop proactive solutions through policy recommendations.

He noted that drug and human trafficking increased in the COVID-19 era as the shipping market played a vital role in transporting essential goods for human survival.

He noted that the large quantities of drugs found on ships arriving in Nigerian ports from South America and the persistent cases of stowaways on departing ships pose a significant threat to the blue economy. He said the development has resulted in detained ships, seafarers facing trial and delayed ship operations due to stowaway incidents.

Maigunwa urged relevant agencies to take decisive measures to minimize drug and human trafficking, holding perpetrators accountable without punishing innocent parties.

Suresh Prabhakar, Director Operations at Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, gave a lecture on drug trafficking, highlighting the prevalence of drug smuggling on ships in ports of countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador.

He noted that drug cartels easily bypass poor port security and hide drugs on board ships without the crew’s knowledge.

Prabhakar suggested solutions to the menace, including holding seminars to sensitise the authorities, reviewing the position of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) when drugs are found on board ships, stepping up awareness programmes and using CCTV cameras and patrol boats for surveillance.

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