Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has stressed the importance of developing comprehensive strategies to combat maritime threats related to drug and human trafficking in Nigeria.
He made this known at an event organised by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron (AMANO) on Thursday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
The event, themed “Drugs and Human Smuggling/Trafficking: The Evolving Maritime Security Threats to Ships and Seafarers,” highlighted the growing concern of maritime threats, particularly those related to drugs and human trafficking.
Oyetola, represented by Heaky Dimowo, Director of Marine Environment, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), noted that recent trends show a troubling increase in these threats, which destabilise communities and challenge law enforcement at sea.
Oyetola emphasised the need for comprehensive strategies, leveraging technology, enhancing intelligence capabilities, and fostering collaborations among critical stakeholders to reduce these threats.
He also stressed the importance of training and capacity development to improve maritime security.
“We must ensure that the knowledge acquired from the training is harnessed and integrated into our national strategies that advocate for policies, promote sustainable practices and prioritise the training of the personnel in maritime law enforcement and security agencies.
“It is time to align our interest and resources towards a common goal – safe and secure maritime domain for all Nigeria seafarers and vessels to create a safer and more prosperous maritime environment that will foster growth and promote a sustainable blue economy,” he said.
Also speaking, Emmanuel Maiguwa, President of MASPAN, explained that the disruptions caused by drug trafficking led to the collaboration between MASPAN and AMANO to develop proactive solutions through policy recommendations.
He observed that the COVID-19 era saw a surge in drugs and human trafficking, as the shipping market played a critical role in transporting essential goods for human survival.
He noted that the large quantities of drugs found on ships arriving at Nigerian ports from South America, and the persistent cases of stowaways on departing vessels, pose a significant threat to the blue economy. He said the development has resulted in detained ships, seafarers facing trials, and delayed vessel operations due to stowaway incidents.
Maigunwa urged relevant agencies to take decisive action to minimise drug and human trafficking, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable without penalising innocent parties.
Suresh Prabhakar, Director Operations, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, delivered a paper on drug trafficking, highlighting the prevalence of drug smuggling on ships in ports of countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.
He noted that drug cartels easily penetrate poor port security arrangements and hide drugs on board ships without the knowledge of the crew.
Prabhakar suggested solutions to the menace, including conducting seminars to sensitise authorities, reviewing the stance of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) when drugs are found on board ships, increased awareness programs, and the use of CCTV cameras and patrol boats for monitoring.
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