The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has described Apapa, Brass and Bonny Island as high risk waterways in Nigeria.
IMB said that the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) remains the world’s piracy hotspot.
The global agency, in its quarterly report at the weekend, listed Apapa in Lagos State, Brass in Bayelsa State and Bonny Island in Rivers State as high-risk waterways.
The report said, “Nigeria (Lagos-Apapa, off Bayelsa-Brass, and Bonny Island-Port Harcourt): Pirates/robbers are often well armed and violent.
“They have attacked, hijacked, robbed ships and kidnapped crews along far from the coast rivers, anchorages ports, and surrounding waters.
“Incidents have also been reported up to about 200 nautical miles from the coast. Generally, all waters in or off Nigeria remain highly risky”.
The agency advised vessels and their owners to be vigilant as many attacks and abduction of crew members take place along the coast.
“Vessels are advised to be vigilant as many incidents may also have gone unreported; kidnapping for ransom remains the biggest risk for crews.
“Vessels are advised to take additional measures in these high-risk waters. In the past, tankers were also hijacked and part cargo stolen (gas oil)”, IMB advised.
