Vessel attacks: Group calls on ship owners to employ private security.

Tayo Afolabi I

Worried by the the unpleasant likelihood that Nigerian territorial water may be declared a war zone by international Maritime community due to incessant attacks on vessels, a group of seaferers has called on ship owners plying Nigeria waters to employ private security operatives against attacks on their vessels.
The group said even though the Federal government had outlawed ship owners employing private security agents, he said the spate of attacks on ships at anchorage has necessitated the initiative.
The President of Nigerian Merchant Navy and Water Transport Senior Staff Association ( NMNWTSSA), Engr. Matthew Alalade told our correspondent at the weekend that the initiative is the only solution that could save the image of the country.
He added that the Nigerian Navy and other security agents in charge of security at sea have failed to perform their duties hence the operators should stand up for themselves to save their businesses and the image of Nigeria.

Alalade said, “The government should allow the ship owners to get security onboard for themselves instead of this attacks that miscreants unleash on them all the time at anchorage.
“We don’t know what the security agencies are doing, they have failed in their assignments, if not, where are they when all the attacks are going on.

“Our stand on the matter is that the government should allow them to get security that will help secure their vessels for them.”

The seafarers boss added that if the attacks continue, it would lead to high premium on vessels coming to the zone, stating that it could also lead to vessels avoiding Nigerian waters.

On the forthcoming elections of the association, Alalade said preparations are in top gear maintaining that there would be smooth transition to new elected executive.

Asked if he had anointed candidate since he has completed his maximum two terms in office, he said, “I don’t have any anointed candidate now but it depends on what happens with time.
“It is the responsibility of the Secretariat to ensure we have a good candidate that can lead the association to success,” he stated.