NIIA advocates non-kinetic approach to tackle piracy

The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), on Thursday, called for a non-kinetic approach in tackling maritime security in the country.

The Director General, NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, who stated this during a symposium on maritime security in Lagos, said if piracy persists and remains unchecked, it affects not just the country but also the economy of the countries around it. The symposium was held in partnership with the Royal Navy, United Kingdom.

He emphasised the need to curb challenges encountered via sea to aid economic growth as over 80 per cent of global products are transported via sea.

While noting that there has been a drastic decline in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea between 2021 and 2023, he said that there is a need to sustain the tempo for the benefit of Nigeria and other countries.

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“We need more non-kinetic approaches if we’re going to deal with piracy from the root instead of the branch approach. Kinetic approach cannot take the place of non-kinetic,” he added as he emphasized the importance of addressing piracy offshore.

Meanwhile HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford, said at least €7 billion of UK trade passes through the Gulf of Guinea.

“The UK is eager to cooperate with our maritime allies, especially Nigeria, and with regional and non- regional partners going forward, as we look to identify opportunities to work ever more closely to tackle this and other shared security challenges at sea; including those posed by extremist organizations, serious organized crime, or unregulated maritime activity. 

“We have a long and enduring relationship with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and the UK’s Integrated Review, our most important review of foreign policy and the most significant since the Cold War, clearly identifies Nigeria as a priority partner for the UK,” he said.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Abdullahi, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, also spoke about combating piracy from the grassroots level.

“You cannot be discussing security today without addressing the welfare or wellbeing of the citizens, These people are not coming from the sky,; all the people that constitute a nuisance to our maritime environment hardly come from any other place,” he said