Ghana, Togo, Others understudy Nigeria’s SPOMO Act - NIMASA DG

Abiola Seun

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), on Tuesday, said the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, has become a model in Admiralty matter among countries in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).

This was disclosed by the Director General of the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, at the 2nd Nigerian Admiralty Law Colloquium, organized by the agency.

The NIMASA DG, however, stated that victories in courts have helped reduce piracy to a 27-year low on Nigeria territorial waters.

Dr Jamoh said, “in 2019, the SPOMO Act came into law. This act provides the legal teeth for the war against piracy in the Nigerian maritime environment.

“The further zeal to keep our maritime space secured, promote socio-economic development and leaving no stone unturned, led to the launch of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, popularly referred to as the Deep Blue Project.”

“The unprecedented support NIMASA has received in enacting the SPOMO Act, the recorded convictions of criminals and their sentencing between 2021 and today has sent a clear message to all would-be practitioners of piracy and sea criminality that Nigerian waters will never again be a safe haven for them.

“They now know that if they do the crime, they will serve the term.

“These victories in the courts have rippled across the waters to help reduce piracy to a 27-year low.