Rise in transnational crime threatens Nigeria’s maritime security, reputation and economy

Nigeria’s seaports and waters are at the center of a growing crisis as transnational criminal syndicates increasingly exploit these routes for drug and human trafficking. The economic, financial and reputational damage from these crimes is significant as the country grapples with the complex legal challenges of securing its maritime corridors from well-funded criminal networks that exploit vulnerabilities in port security. ADAKU ONYENUCHEYA reports.

There is growing concern both locally and internationally that Nigerian waters and seaports are increasingly becoming transit routes for transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.

Recent trends point to a worrying increase in maritime threats, particularly related to drug trafficking and human trafficking in West Africa. Organized crime groups have developed new methods to exploit vulnerabilities in port security, particularly in regions where compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is weak.

Nigeria, known as a major transit route for narcotics from South America, faces unique challenges that extend beyond ISPS to ensure port security.

Recent incidents reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlight the seriousness of the situation and indicate that West Africa is a major transit region for drugs.

The report found that in the past two years alone, there have been four recorded incidents involving merchant ships sailing from South America to Nigeria, excluding cases where drugs were hidden in cargo containers.

Another report, covering the period from February 2021 to July 2024, revealed that four bulk carriers, laden with sugar from Santos, Brazil, to Lagos, were found with quantities of cocaine ranging from 18 to 43 kilograms on board. It was discovered by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

These activities are largely funded by cartels that exploit the Nigerian maritime corridor. They use information to obtain ship designs and route schedules, and they use divers, legitimate port officials, stevedores, cargo hold cleaning crews, inspectors and others to smuggle drugs aboard ships.

The economic impact of these crimes is significant as ship owners, importers, seafarers and terminal operators face significant financial losses as a result of these activities in Nigerian waters and seaports.

The financial burden also extends to delays and investigations. Some vessels are detained for months, resulting in significant legal and operational costs for port and terminal operators as the detained vessels take up facilities before they can be moved.

This situation not only burdens the Nigerian economy but also damages the country’s reputation as a reliable destination for maritime trade. This could lead to higher insurance premiums and a deterrent effect on international trade.

The Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, highlighted the growing concerns over maritime security, particularly the increasing incidents of drug and human trafficking.

He stressed that these cross-border crimes not only destabilise communities and pose challenges to law enforcement, but also pose significant risks to the safety and security of seafarers and ships.

The minister warned that the country’s waters are increasingly being used as transit routes for illicit activities and called for comprehensive strategies that leverage technological innovations, enhance intelligence capabilities and promote cooperation among key stakeholders.

The drug cartel sector began to flourish when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in 2020. Shipping was seen as one of the key sectors needed to operate. It was realised that the sector was essential to deal with the global crisis.

While shipping offered itself as a service provider, organised crime saw it as the only means of transporting illegal cargo while all other transport sectors were shut down.

As a result, organized crime cartels developed and improved tactics that allowed them to bring large quantities of drugs on board ships without the crew’s knowledge, especially in areas where ISPS compliance was weak.

Financial burden of transnational crime
Hong Kong-based Pacific Basin Shipping Limited Operations Director Suresh Prabhakar stressed that importers and shipping companies face significant financial burdens as a result of lengthy investigations into drug and human trafficking incidents in countries with inadequate legal frameworks and operational capabilities.

Referring to the NDLEA investigation into ships from Brazil carrying cocaine, Prabhakar said each ship was delayed for four to six months and was only allowed to sail after the owners posted bail ranging from $2 million to $5 million.

Prabhakar further indicated that 10 crew members from each ship were detained and later granted bail of $10,000 per crew member, totaling $400,000 per ship.

He said the situation was particularly dire for the crew members of two of the ships, who were held for about 20 months before being released after multiple court hearings.

The crew members of the remaining two ships, who have been held in Lagos for 34 and 13 months respectively, are still being prosecuted by the courts.
Prabhakar explained that losses incurred by ship owners due to delays caused by drug trafficking and stowaway investigations are often passed on to importers, who then pass these losses on to Nigerian consumers.

The Chairman of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa, highlighted the emerging threats that drug smuggling and human trafficking pose to Nigeria’s maritime sector. Maiguwa illustrated the economic impact of drug-related incidents and the financial strain on operators when a foreign vessel is arrested on drug charges.

According to maritime safety experts, legal and operational costs, particularly in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, can amount to around $6 million, or nearly 40 percent of a ship’s $15 million second-hand market value, potentially bankrupting small operators.

He warned that Nigeria’s reputation as a difficult destination for handling drug-related cases and problems with port vessel access control could lead to tougher industry measures, such as higher premiums for war risk insurance, similar to those taken against piracy.

Problems with the legal process in Nigeria
SHIPPING TRAVELLERS are wary of doing business in countries where they risk prolonged detention if cases of drug and human trafficking are discovered. This poses significant risks to the safety of seafarers and ships.

While the handling of drug-related incidents by local authorities in the United States of America (USA), Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and several other countries has been praised, Nigeria has been criticised, particularly the NDLEA’s legal process.

Prabhakar stated that when drugs are found on board ships in ports in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, drug enforcement agencies quickly investigate and determine whether a ship and its crew are involved.

According to him, if the crew members are found innocent, they will be allowed to sail without delay. He said that in the rare case where the authorities have a strong suspicion that a particular crew member is involved, they will detain that person and allow the ship and the remaining crew to sail without delay.

Prabhakar stressed that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) had strongly condemned the unfair criminalization and ill-treatment of seafarers in January 2024. According to him, Nigeria’s position on the treatment of seafarers has not changed.

He suggested that the NDLEA review its approach when drugs are found on board ships, given the increased risks of smuggling and the security challenges faced by ship crews and owners.

Prabhakar advised the NDLEA to take practical measures similar to those in the US, Europe and Brazil to prevent delays of ships and crews, as the consequences for crew members, their families and ship owners are serious.

According to Prabhakar, seafarers are reluctant to work in countries where legal procedures surrounding the discovery of drugs and stowaways are unclear, which can lead to long detentions, lawsuits and harsh realities for the crew.

He added that government agencies and terminal operators are losing revenue due to delays in surveys, while there is also port congestion and logistical concerns as vessels take up limited berths during surveys.

“Such incidents cost ship owners enormous amounts of money in lost revenue due to ship delays, legal fees, crew salaries, family support and the like. Furthermore, most responsible owners spend a great deal of time and effort to secure their release when crew members are subjected to such treatment.

“Cases like these negatively impact the ability of ship owners to conduct such trade, and several owners and operators are forced to choose alternative trading routes. As always, the mental and physical scars that such incidents leave on crew members and their families are immense. Often careers are destroyed, leaving many such families in serious financial and emotional distress,” he said.

For Maiguwa, this disturbing trend underscored the need for improved maritime security measures to prevent drug traffickers from exploiting shipping routes. He called for a balanced approach that ensures perpetrators are brought to justice without placing unnecessary burdens on innocent parties or hampering the growth of the shipping industry.

Maiguwa called for proactive measures to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests, stressing the need to make the maritime corridor safer while finding effective, sustainable solutions to combat drug and human trafficking. The Minister, in turn, stressed the urgent need for a collective response to the rising menace of drug and human trafficking in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

He stressed that a multifaceted approach is essential to effectively address these challenges and protect the maritime domain. The Minister also stressed the importance of training and capacity building in improving maritime security. He urged stakeholders to integrate the knowledge gained through training into national strategies that promote sustainable practices and prioritize maritime law enforcement and security measures.

Oyetola expressed optimism about the progress made through collaboration between government agencies, the private sector and international organizations.

He called for a renewed alignment of interests and resources to achieve a common goal of creating a safe and secure maritime environment that supports growth and promotes a sustainable blue economy in Nigeria.