The Nigerian Navy has alerted the general public on what it called “false and alarmist” reports on the rate of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Director of Naval Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun, said piracy reports in the Gulf of Guinea “are a deliberate ongoing effort to discourage maritime traffic as well as heighten freight and insurance cost in the region”.
He said, “A case in point is the reported hijack of a vessel, MV ODIANOSEN by a notable maritime information media source, Dryad Global which turned out to be false and alarmist.
“Notwithstanding these alarmist reports, the Nigerian Navy wishes to reiterate its commitment to partnering with all strategic and allied partners for a safer and crime free Gulf of Guinea.
“Thus, all Nigerian media organisations/agencies are please advised to be wary of any calculated attempt at tarnishing the image of the nation in furtherance of an untoward maritime agenda.”