British Envoy Expresses Concern Over Niger Delta Piracy

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Andrew Pocock, voices concern over increasing insecurity in the area, urges action.

The diplomat made his remarks at the West African Maritime Security and Development Conference in Lagos, adding that Britain would continue to support security agencies with equipment and training for effective performance.

He considered that the rising profile of criminals on the land and at sea within the coast was worrisome, but that with the effective performance of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy in peace keeping in the region, West African countries did not need new security institutions to address such problems. All existing institutions, both national and regional need to work together for effective policing of the area.

Also present at the conference, the Chief of Nigerian Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba, added that the Nigerian Navy in the past eight months had impounded 40 vessels over illegal activities within the nation's maritime environment.

Source: Daily Trust (Nigeria)