All eyes on Nigeria

Control Risks highlights issues in West Africa.

Piracy and armed robbery off Nigerian coast at record high: Piracy at sea 21% higher than 2008 peak

Piracy incidents off the Nigerian coastline in the first four months of this year are 21% higher than previous peak levels recorded in 2008, Control Risks’ Maritime Risk Analysis division announced today. Piracy and armed robbery at sea from January to April 2016 was one of the biggest threats to maritime operators in the region; the frequency of incidents 119% higher compared with the same period in 2015. Data from Control Risks also identified offshore Bayelsa state as the top location for piracy incidents in Nigeria with 56% of total incidents being recorded here between January and April 2016.

While theft and robbery in ports and at anchorages in Nigeria has seen a significant decrease so far this year, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of kidnaps taking place during piracy attacks offshore. Control Risks data shows an average of three kidnaps occurring per month in the first four months of 2016 compared to one kidnap per month in the same period in 2015.

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Source: hellenicshippingnews.com