Foreign merchant ships navigating Nigerian waters are increasingly carrying armed personnel, including former military operatives from post-Iraq conflict zones, to safeguard their vessels against piracy and other security threats.
Industry experts have warned that while the increasing reliance on private security firms and foreign military presence to secure Nigerian waters has helped reduce maritime insecurity, it comes at a significant price, and raises concerns about sustainability, economic costs and national sovereignty.
This comes after Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, recently lamented that Nigeria continues to pay War Risk Insurance premiums on cargo bound for its ports despite substantial investments in maritime security.
A former Director at NIMASA and Executive Director of Operations at Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Captain Warredi Enisuoh, said the cost of securing Nigeria’s maritime domain is escalating, as foreign merchant ships increasingly rely on armed personnel and private security firms to protect their assets.
Enisuoh said the foreign merchant vessels, carrying armed personnel on their ships, were the ones that have brought sanity to Nigerian waters.
“Come to Escravos and see them brandishing their body armours. These security personnel, many of whom may have served in post-Iraq conflict zones, cost money. We may be experiencing zero or near-zero insecurity incidents because the maritime escort business is ongoing, and private security companies providing escort services have contributed immensely to securing assets inbound and outbound. But it costs money,” he noted.
Enisuoh said the Nigerian maritime domain is awash with foreign military ships providing safety for their flags and those of their allies, describing it as a “free-for-all environment” where various international forces operate to protect their national interests.
He recalled his early encounters with private maritime security firms operating in Nigerian waters, many of which were staffed by former British and Irish military personnel with experience in conflict zones such as Iraq.
He further noted that insurance firms covering security risks in the region are primarily based in Europe, increasing operational expenses for vessels navigating Nigerian waters.
The Head of Research at the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), Eugene Nweke, reinforced the concerns, stating that while armed personnel on foreign ships have contributed to improved security, the long-term effectiveness of private security solutions remains uncertain.
Nweke explained that the reliance on private security companies and foreign military forces creates an economic burden. He noted that increased insurance premiums for ships operating in Nigerian waters, additional security surcharges by shipping companies, and potential trade losses due to perceived insecurity, all contribute to the hidden costs of maritime security.
The ED also warned that long-term dependence on foreign military protection could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty, and weaken the nation’s ability to independently secure its maritime domain.
Nweke urged NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to enhance their capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign security forces. He argued that a coordinated approach, involving government agencies, international cooperation, and private sector stakeholders, would be necessary to ensure the safety of ships, crew, and cargo while protecting national economic interests.
