Piracy Takes Root in Nigeria

Piracy off the coast of West Africa takes root in the oil-slicked creeks of Nigeria’s southern delta, where militants steal millions of dollars of crude.

Experts: Growing piracy across West Africa takes root in oil-slicked creeks of Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria — The piracy targeting the coast of West Africa takes root in the oil-slicked creeks of Nigeria’s southern delta, where militants steal millions of dollars of crude with the apparent help of security agencies, experts said Saturday.

While the attacks target ships throughout the Gulf of Guinea, now rated by London insurers as being just as dangerous as the waters off Somalia, the majority happen along Nigeria’s coastline. Threats of piracy have also seen needed cargo shipments drop in the region and led to calls for potentially arming private security contractors to protect vessels, experts say.

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Source: Washington Post.