Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea Sign Maritime Security Agreement

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have signed an agreement to establish combined patrols to bolster security in the Gulf of Guinea, which has been plagued by piracy in the last few years, a spokesman for President Muhammadu; Garba Shehu said last week.
He said the agreement, which comes amid the backdrop of a rise in pipeline attacks in the oil-producing Niger Delta region of Africa’s biggest crude producer, was signed early last week by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
Pirate attacks in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a significant source of oil, cocoa and metals for world markets, pose a threat to shipping companies. Pirates target oil tankers, usually wanting hostages for ransom and to sell stolen fuel.
“The conclusion and signing of the agreement is expected to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea and help in curbing maritime crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, sabotage of oil rigs and arms smuggling,” said Shehu.
In a statement, Shehu said the agreement, which was signed at the end of Buhari’s two-day visit to Equatorial Guinea’s capital, Malabo — established “a combined Maritime Policing and Security Patrol Committee”.
The creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta are connected to the Gulf of Guinea.