By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed a scary spike in kidnapping on the nation’s waterways. No fewer than 20 of such dastardly acts have occurred just two months.
This alarming trend includes a recent incident just last week, when 10 maritime workers were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Bonny River waters, sparking widespread fear and uncertainty among workers’ union and their families.
According to information provided to our correspondent by Comrade Isreal Pepple; the Rivers State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), no releases have been made as at press time, nor have the kidnappers contacted the union regarding the fate of the victims.
Pepple disclosed that distraught families are grappling with the situation, are often reluctant to involve authorities due to threats from the kidnappers. He noted that the latest kidnapping has led to a dramatic reduction in maritime operations, with only two boats reported in service recently out of about 30 that were previously in service on the route.
He confirmed that this recent kidnapping, which took place precisely on September 2, 2024, has brought the total number of incidents in the region to over 20 in just two months.
When asked about the steps being taken by the union to secure the release of the passengers, he said the maritime union has organized peaceful protests, sought intervention from state government officials including the Governor, Speaker, and Commissioner of Police. Despite these appeals, he said the kidnappers remain at large and active, with no significant progress in negotiations or rescues.
“Security matters don’t get exposed. Moreover, when they involve kidnapping, their families are always directly involved. If there is any call from those people (the kidnappers), it will definitely be on their family’s side. The family will not want to relate it to that, because we have said that the government should go and make sure they release them unconditionally. That has been our stance. We are not ready to interface or start negotiating with anybody.”
“When the kidnappers contact the families, the families might decide to negotiate because they are thinking about how to bring their people back alive. Kidnappers often threaten to kill the victims if the police are informed, so families are scared and reluctant to involve the police. That is why we don’t push much on the family. We allow them, while we do our own thing with the police.”
“So far, none of them have been released. The kidnapping has affected the union, in that our members are scared to drive their boats. Passenger traffic has also dropped drastically. Where we used to have 30 or 25 boats moving in a day, now there are only two or three. After the incident, there was a day when only two boats moved.”
“We have related the issue to my branch president, Pastor Sunday Avoseh, who approved a peaceful protest to inform the Governor, the Speaker, and the Commissioner of Police about our situation”, he told our correspondent.
After the protest which was done on Thursday, but on Monday morning, nine more people were kidnapped. In total, over 20 people have been kidnapped within two months”, he lamented.
Reacting to the increase in kidnappings, a security expert and President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa informed that piracy threats, particularly in Bonny River, have led to seven recorded incidents since May 6, 2024. These include five kidnappings, one attempted armed robbery, and one unsuccessful boarding. Notably, five of these incidents have occurred within the last 60 days.
Speaking further, Maiguwa stated that while kidnappings are a maritime issue, they are symptomatic of broader criminal trends. He attributed the surge in kidnappings to a combination of unemployment, inadequate security infrastructure, and a lack of technological solutions for tracking and identification.
He advocated for the adoption of advanced security measures and socio-economic interventions to address the root causes of the criminal behavior. Maiguwa also emphasized that while the immediate focus should be on rescuing the kidnapped victims and ensuring their safety, a comprehensive approach involving both security enhancements and socio-economic reforms is crucial for long-term solutions.
“The issue of kidnapping is not unique to maritime settings; it’s a general crime occurring in riverine communities. When crimes are committed in these areas, they are not fundamentally different from those happening on land. For instance, in places like Bayelsa, where people live on islands and use boats for transportation, the factors leading to kidnapping are similar to those in urban areas,” Maiguwa said.
He said: “Opportunities for legitimate employment are dwindling, which drives individuals toward criminal activities. With the maritime sector once offering numerous opportunities, the current lack of such avenues forces youths to either use their skills in legitimate or illegal ways.”
“Technology is crucial for improving maritime security. Identifying boats, their operators, and other maritime assets is essential. Without proper technology, monitoring and controlling maritime activities remain a challenge. The existing NIMASA Deep Blue Project, while an intervention asset, does not address the fundamental need for effective identification and monitoring.”
“The ISPS Code alone is inadequate for Nigeria’s maritime security needs. A more comprehensive legal framework is necessary to address and penalize criminal activities within the maritime domain. Without this, any increase in land-based criminality will inevitably impact maritime security.”
“The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy should lead efforts to address maritime security challenges, with support from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior. The President should oversee and support these initiatives, while the National Security Adviser should provide advisory support.”
Speaking with our correspondent, Olugbenga Leke Oyewole, a security expert and former Senior Special Adviser to Former President Goodluck Jonathan, highlighted the troubling spread of maritime crime. “It is unfortunate that this menace is moving from land to sea. This is essentially an extension of the kidnapping crisis we see on land, with criminals now targeting maritime workers for their potential monetary gains. The spread of this threat is alarming,” Oyewole remarked.
Oyewole further criticized the current strategies for combating maritime crime, stressing the need for technological advancements. “The failure to use modern technology to track and apprehend kidnappers is a significant issue. The technology available today should allow us to trace and intercept these criminals. The use of communication devices by kidnappers must be traceable, and maritime agencies need to enhance their capabilities to secure our coastlines effectively.”
He also pointed out systemic issues within maritime security operations, emphasizing the need for improved inter-agency collaboration. “The lack of effective coordination between agencies like the Navy and the Police often results in weak prosecutions of maritime criminals. We need seamless data exchange and better cooperation between agencies to address these crimes more efficiently,” Oyewole added.
