Group Raises Concern Over Rising Drug Cases On Nigerian-bound Vessels

The Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), have expressed great concern over rising incidents of large quantities of drugs found on vessels arriving at Nigerian ports.

Speaking against the backdrop of the upcoming maritime summit on Drug Smuggling and Human Trafficking, the AMANO/ MASPAN Planning Committee Chairman, Emmanuel Maiguwa, said the United States of America (USA) and France Embassies confirmed their attendance for the maritime summit.

Maiguwa stated that AMANO and MASPAN have become concerned with the rising incidents of large quantities of drugs found on ships arriving at Nigerian ports, as well as sustained cases of stowaways found on ships departing the nation’s ports.

His words, “Ships have been detained for several months while their crew were placed on trial and forced to remain without seeing their families for several years in cases of drug smuggling. At the end of this conference, we hope that stakeholders will arrive at workable solutions and mandate a working group to ensure the actualization of the resolutions reached.”

“On the part of Human Trafficking, cases of stowaways, especially in Lagos ports, have continued to cause delays to vessels when they are found before vessel departure. Cases where discoveries were not made before departure have continued to burden shipowners because of the very complex administrative protocols involved in handling stowaways on ships.”

Maiguwa posited that organising the event became pertinent having considered the disruption drug smuggling and human trafficking activities can pose to shipping operations via increased cost and the traumatic experience on seafarers.

“The goal is to align with critical agencies in making sure that Drug and Human Smuggling/Trafficking in the maritime domain are reduced; if not eradicated, perpetrators are penalised in a way innocent parties are not made to pay the price, and the industry is not deprived of its growth potentials.”

“We have equally secured the support of the key agency responsible for narcotics in Nigeria, the National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which has committed to fully participating in the panel discussion.

The Embassies of the United States and France, the International and local shipping companies have also shown keen interest and are set to attend the event.”

Stressing that the event is strictly by invitation and registration, the organisers encouraged stakeholders with interest to contact the Planning Committee via the numbers on the event flyer to book the few remaining seats.