By Olubunmi ISOKPEHI, Lagos
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) has said, ” The prosecution of suspected pirates under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) ACT is set to commence.
This assertion was made by the DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, contained in a statement issued signed by the Head Corporate Communications, Mr.Philip Kyanet and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
Jamoh said, ” The Agency was aiming to rid Nigeria’s waterways of criminalities and reassure the global communities that it was getting on top of the security issues in its domain.”
The DG noted that the Nigerian Navy had arrested the suspected pirates recently with intelligence support from NIMASA and their trial would be the first under the anti – Piracy Law signed in June last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.
His words: ” The agency is mounting a spirited campaign to uproot piracy and armed robbery in the country’s waters.”
Adding, ” The Nigeria’s Waters are now safer for navigation, as the proactive approach of NIMASA to safety and security at sea has started yielding fruits.”
” This is evidenced in the multiple arrests of suspected pirates in the second quarter of the year.”
Jamoh stated that fighting crime with intelligence and technology had been the hallmark of his administration in the battle against piracy since it came on board three months ago.
Recall on assumption, Jamoh had launched a three -Point Agenda focused on Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Shipping Development, with the acronym 3s.
He opined, ” ” Collapsing our agenda into security, safety and shipping development had given NIMASA a bird’s – eyes view of the challenges inherent in the sector.”
Adding, ” Our findings have revealed that these criminals work with the cooperation of international allies and that is what makes them sophisticated and we have set out to tackle them through intelligence gathering and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.”
He assured, ” Our recent arrests of 27 suspected pirates through the efforts of Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Police Force have shown the international community that we are not handling illegalities in our waters with kid gloves.”
Jamoh noted the recent congratulatory letter by the International Maritime Organization ( IMO) of Nigeria for its zeal to make the country’s waters safe and secure.
However, the DG appealed to the media to ensure adequate and fair reportage of the activities of NIMASA, Nigeria’s maritime industry regulatory agency to properly inform and educate the public.
