Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea - Trends, Causes, Effects and Way Forward

Abstract

The Gulf of Guinea is a very strategic maritime corridor with heavy flow of maritime traffic. The high incidents of piracy in the areas have made the area become classified as the most risky zone for shipping companies. The Gulf of Guinea is presently infested with very violent pirates and sea robbers that are out to plunder and pillage cargoes as well as kidnap crews for ransom. This paper examines the trend of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. It identifies some of the major causes of piracy in the area, the effects of piracy and the efforts made by states to curb the spate of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The paper applied qualitative research method which involved the use of extracted data from the reports of International Maritime Bureau, International Maritime Organization and other secondary sources. The paper suggests that the piracy in the Gulf of Guinea constitutes serious security threat to maritime transportation, and import and export trade in the region. The paper also submits that Niger Delta insurgency contributed immensely to the surge of piratical activities in the Gulf of Guinea. The paper acknowledges the efforts being made by some states and regional bodies to curb the menace of piracy but contends such efforts are currently inadequate. Finally, the study recommends the enactment of domestic legislations that would criminalize piracy in the states of the region, thereby effectively addressing the Niger Delta question to end the regime of lawlessness in the areas, intensification of regional cooperation and global efforts, and interagency cooperation in staving off the threat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.