Piracy: Court convicts 20 persons in one year

Bashir Jamoh

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it had secured at least 20 convictions in the past one year.

All 20 persons are serving a total of 119 years behind bars with some being given an option of a fine.

The Director-General of the NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, disclosed this on Thursday at the 53rd Session of the State House Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The NIMASA chief said those arrested include perpetrators of poaching, piracy and other crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to Jamoh, 17 of those convicted bagged seven years behind bars each and three expatriates were fined.

He said NIMASA was working with sister agencies and security outfits to address the menace.

He noted that since President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Deep Blue Project in June 2021, incidences of attacks on vessels have dropped to zero.



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