Security Experts Say, Niger Delta Piracy Falls

•    Activity levels have nearly halved in the second half of 2013, says Bergen

Pirate activity off Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta has started to decrease compared with earlier this year, according to the latest report from Bergen Risk Solutions.
Bergen said the drop was likely to be the result of a meeting, held on June 13 in Oporoza, Delta State, which was called by former rebel commander known as Tompolo.
Bergen has recorded 55 incidents so far in 2013 targeting international interests off Nigeria.

•    Activity levels have nearly halved in the second half of 2013, says Bergen

Pirate activity off Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta has started to decrease compared with earlier this year, according to the latest report from Bergen Risk Solutions.
Bergen said the drop was likely to be the result of a meeting, held on June 13 in Oporoza, Delta State, which was called by former rebel commander known as Tompolo.
Bergen has recorded 55 incidents so far in 2013 targeting international interests off Nigeria.
Some 36 were recorded from January 1-July 1, nearly equalling the 38 incidents that the intelligence firm recorded for the whole of 2012.
There have been 19 incidents in the second half of 2013. Bergen said this drop from the peak of the start of the year may be due to the decisions made at the meeting.
Bergen chief executive Arild Nodland said Tompolo’s meeting was attended by “retired” senior militants who had been part of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta but were now either part of the government militia or private security providers.
“During the meeting it was decided to assist President [Goodluck] Jonathan’s administration in reducing piracy and maritime crime, probably by taking decisive action against active crime gangs,” he said.
Mr Nodland added that Nigeria was facing growing international pressure, especially from the US, to manage the piracy threat.
“Attacks continue in the eastern Niger Delta whilst there is a remarkable calm in the rest of the Gulf of Guinea,” he added.
Bergen’s report said hijackings were often carried out with help from insiders.
It advised that communications with external parties should be kept to a minimum, with close attention paid to organising rendezvous points and waiting positions.
The report recommends avoiding waiting and slowing steaming where possible.