Merchant Navy Raises Alarm, Says 39 Seafarers Kidnapped In Nigeria In 2017 Alone

The Merchant Navy and Water Transporters Senior Staff Association has raised an alarm that out of 49 global record of kidnapped ship crew, Nigeria accounts for 39 of such cases.  
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos yesterday, Vice Chairman of the Shipping Branch of the association, Captain Alfred Oniye noted that most of the attacks on Nigerian waters occurred around 60 to 63 nautical miles.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy is trying its best but their best is not enough, he said that there is need for another security agency to complement the Navy. 
He alleged that from Ikorodu to Lagos, there are 120 creeks which are not adequately patrolled and policed and that the back waters and inland waters are not properly manned.  
"Gulf of Guinea still remains sea pirates’ hot spot, particularly Nigerian waters, talk about Port Harcourt, Bayelsa, and Bonny Island. 
According to records, this year alone, out of 49 crew kidnapping, 39 seafarers have been kidnapped on Nigerian waters, we have facts and figures to prove" 
"What about those that are off-record,  because it is not all the incidences that were recorded, it is only the ones that the crew notified us that we know.
Sea pirates activities on our waters is increasing
Last year,  over 49 were kidnapped" 
"The authorities are aware of these figures, it is not possible that one seafarer would be kidnapped and the family would not be told and no authority would know" 
"The one that happened last week, don’t know the present state of those crew and their condition" 
Capt Oniye advised the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) should stay off maritime security because it is not their responsibility. 
"Is Nigeria too small to have a Coast Guard? Is Nigeria too big or small to have a maritime security agency? 
Check all our backwaters and inland waterways, you would not see any patrol vessel, kidnappers enter the village,  they kidnap and escape through the back waters. From Ikorodu to Lagos, you would record 120 creeks but you would not see one security vessel" 
"Nigerian Navy is trying their best but their best is not enough, they need another security agency to complement their efforts. They need an agency to work hand in hand with them and share information.
They need an agency to work hand in hand with them and share information", he said