THE  International Maritime Bureau (IMB) (the global piracy watchdog) has said  that Nigeria is still leading on the piracy map,following  media reports  which has confirmed that a total of 37 vessels owned by members of  Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) have been attacked within the nation’s territorial waters from November 2012 to date.

A secret document that was sighted by our correspondent in Lagos last week revealed that 28 of the trawlers belong to Atlantic Shrimpers Limited while nine belong to Karflex Fisheries Limited.

According to the document which detailed attacks on the fishing trawlers, the Niger Delta coast recorded the highest number of attacks (25), while the Lagos waters recorded five attacks, with one occurring on the high seas.

In one of the attacks,  a Captain was killed, while the crew of many trawlers sustained severe injuries. Undisclosed ransoms were also reported to have been paid to the robbers for the crews to be freed.

The document also disclosed that many seafarers are still held under captivity by the sea robbers.

On the Lagos waters, the Lekki axis has been described as the most volatile spot where three trawlers were attacked within the period; Badagry waters recorded one attack also.

Other place where attacks had been recorded within the period include: Opobo, Brass, Andoni, Fishtown, Dodo, Middletown, Forcados Ramos ,Barbara, Benin River, Formoso ,Sengana, Sambreiro,Kulama and Barthlomew.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has claimed to have brought down the  number of attacks on vessels since it concessioned the security of the nation’s coastal waters to Global West Specialist Vessels purportedly owned by the controversial ex-militant Mr. Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo.

NIMASA’s claim of having secured the coastal waters, reduced oil theft and curtailed the activities of pirates on the nation’s water is however a far cry from  the realities on ground

While the rest of the world is using coast guard to secure their waters for effective securuity of their watersways, Nigeria chooses to concessioned its own water security   to  a private firm  which is costing  the government so much money.