Even though the increased Naval presence and patrols had forced pirates on Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea to change their antics, there are indications that piracy activities on Nigerian waters is once again rearing its ugly head as dare devil pirates have in the past two months made attempts to board and hijack vessels.
This is even as a cross section of seafarers in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to legalise local oil refining, otherwise known as 'illegal refineries' in order to put an end to piracy and all restiveness in the Niger Delta
Findings by Shipping Position Daily showed that kidnap for ransom against merchant vessels in 20016 has significantly increased in the Niger Delta. There have been at least 16 of the kidnap victims so far in this year are commercial seafarers.
It is believed that the same pirate gangs responsible for these attacks are likely the same groups responsible for kidnapping and violence in the Niger Delta.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily, a Port Harcourt based seafarer; Mr. Idris Alloma attributed the latest increase in pirates activities to the fact that some of the youths are taking back to their arm, because of the alleged delay by the government in the payment of the amnesty programme allowances to the militants.
He told our correspondent that the economic recession in Nigeria has equally driven some of the Niger Delta youths back to their former trade.
"We all know the state of the nation right now, the country's economy is in recession, there is no job anywhere for the youths and even those qualified as seafarers, there is no money in circulation, and as I learnt again from my colleagues, the amnesty payment isn't steady as it is supposed to" Alloma said.
Also speaking with our correspondent, another seafarer; Kelvin Eronmosele said that the main factor responsible for the recent increase in piracy is that perpetrators of these acts used to be involved in the business of local refining of oil product, but currently, the Federal Government is fighting against illegal refineries.
"Though this is a laudable idea, but what provision has the government made for these boys to survive and for their sustenance? When they abandon the business of illegal refiney, what are they going to feed on?"
"My view is that the government should embrace better investment into the maritime and oil sector, they should do more with the indigenous firms and encourage them with provision of funds"
"These boys should not be established in the local refining of oil product, but sent to upgrade their skills and absorbed by the government into the industry" he said.
Pirates are becoming more violent and aggressive and often initiate attacks by firing at the bridge to intimidate the crew prior to boarding. Also, the pirates’ operational range has increased. several incidents occurred more than 50nm from the Nigerian coast and the MV Leon Dias incident occurred at over 100nm.
The latest attacks on the Gulf of Guinea was last week's attack on an offshore supply vessel; Chilosco which was attacked about 30 nautical miles south off Brass, Nigeria.
The vessel was en route from Onne to Port Harcourt, but was approached by speedboat with armed men, who tried to board her. There is no much information for the piracy attack, but according to preliminary information it was unsuccessful.
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