NIMASA detains ships of illegal armed British guards

UK PMSCs could face further trouble.

NIMASA detains ships of illegal armed British guards

The Apex Regulatory Agency and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said it is worried that after cleansing Nigerian waters of the scourge of piracy, sea robbery and ship theft, a new threat now looms over the horizon as armed British guards are conspicuously discovered on the territorial waters.

Director, Shipping Development of NIMASA, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, who raised the alarm, disclosed in Lagos that private registered security firms “in collusion with unscrupulous officials” have allegedly entered into “unconstitutional” Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and partnerships to provide security for merchant ships on Nigerian waters. The MOUs and partnerships, he said, threaten Nigeria’s maritime security.

Enisuoh, however, hinted that NIMASA had already detained three ships namely: MT LILAC VICTORIA, MT UACC EAGLE and MT MORGANE over the illegal security arrangements, noting that, “all the three ships have on board British nationals linked to private security firms overseas, specialised in giving training in the use of weapons, among others.

“They board the ships in Ghana, Ivory Coast via flights from Europe, claiming to be unarmed but coming to protect ships with their bare hands if attacked.

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Source: tribune.com.ng