No piracy recorded in Nigerian waters since 2022 — DINFO, Folorunsho

2026-02-17 - 18:57

By Evelyn Usman The Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Tuesday declared that no case of piracy has been recorded in Nigerian waters since 2022, attributing the feat to sustained naval operations and strategic maritime collaboration. Answering questions from editors during a courtesy visit to Vanguard Media Limited in Lagos, Captain Folorunsho attested that this achievement was internationally recognized when the International Maritime Bureau removed Nigeria from the piracy-prone nations list, validating the effectiveness of the Navy’s continuous patrols and coordinated maritime efforts. “Since 2022, please fact-check me, there has been no reported case of piracy in Nigerian waters. In 2022, the International Maritime Bureau removed Nigeria from the piracy-prone nations list. And from that time till date, there has been no recorded piracy incident in our waters,” he said. “The sustained achievements of the Nigerian Navy, including our success in securing Nigerian waters and eliminating piracy since 2022, are a direct result of the clear vision, mission, and command philosophy set by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. His vision to develop a modern, agile, and professional naval force dedicated to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests, combined with his mission to deploy a highly motivated and capable force for the defence of national sovereignty and internal stability, has guided every operational decision. Coupled with his command philosophy of leading with integrity, enforcing discipline, merit, and accountability, and promoting personnel welfare, these principles have shaped a mission-ready Navy whose sustained operational commitment continues to protect our maritime domain and advance national security objectives in collaboration with other agencies. Contrasting Nigeria’s experience with other global hotspots, Folorunsho said: “In the Gulf of Aden and parts of the Middle East, there are multinational task forces , Combined Task Force 150 and 151 , made up of Western and Asian navies. Yet piracy has not been completely eradicated there. But Nigeria, on its own, was able to address the menace in its waters. “In our case, nobody came to our aid. We leveraged partnerships, particularly within our maritime zone, but Nigeria tackled its piracy challenge decisively. “Are we doing enough? Yes. Can we do better? Of course, yes. But the evidence of progress is there. Four years and counting, no reported piracy incident in Nigerian waters , that is not accidental,” he added. Captain Folorunsho noted that Nigeria’s exit from the piracy list also had economic implications. “What that meant was that the war-risk insurance premiums paid by vessels trading in Nigerian waters were reduced. That is a direct economic benefit to the country,” he said. While acknowledging that security challenges remain, he maintained that the Nigerian Navy has demonstrated capacity and resilience. From Left; Lieutenant Commander Earnest Jim; Mr Onochie Anibeze, Editor, Saturday Vanguard Newspapers; Lieutenant Sandra Uju Stephen; Mr Adekunle Adekoya, Deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr Eze Anaba, Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Navy Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information; Mrs Evelyn Usman, Crime deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Prince Osuagwu, Vanguard’s Hi-Tech Editor, and Lieutenant Abraham Adebiyi Akindele, during the courtesy visit by the Director of Naval Information to the Vanguard Newspapers Head Office in Lagos, 0n Tuesday. Photo; Kehinde Shonola The DINFO, who disclosed that Vanguard was his first port of call, explained that the visit was part of a nationwide media tour aimed at strengthening institutional relationships. “We chose Vanguard as our first port of call because I am on a major tour to meet the people shaping the Western Naga space. Vanguard has consistently been a partner for progress. You have been a reliable platform to share information with the public, and your extensive coverage has been very effective, often highlighting stories that media might overlook. We sincerely appreciate that,” he said. He therefore appealed for stronger collaboration with the media, particularly Vanguard, as the service prepares for its 70th anniversary and other major international engagements. In his remarks, the Editor of Vanguard, Mr. Eze Anaba, who also serves as President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, welcomed the delegation and commended the Navy for its engagement with the media. He, however, raised questions aimed at improving public understanding of maritime security responsibilities, particularly regarding pipeline protection, noting that such clarifications were important in view of the nation’s economic realities. “Given the country’s financial pressures, Nigerians are interested in understanding how security responsibilities are distributed among agencies and how resources are being utilized,” he said. Anaba emphasized the media’s role in promoting transparency and informed public discourse, adding that “Our responsibility is to ask questions that reflect public interest and to provide accurate information. Engagements like this strengthen mutual understanding between the media and institutions such as the Navy.” Other editors present included: the Deputy Editor, Mr. Kunle Adekoya; Saturday Editor, Mr. Onochie Anibezie; News Editor, Mr. Kenneth Ehigiator; Hi-Tec Editor, Prince Osuagwu; Crime Editor, Mr. Emma Nnadozie; Chief Sub-Editor, Mr. Victor Otibu; Energy Editor, Mr. Udeme Akpan; Deputy Politics Editor, Mr. Dapo Akinrefon; Deputy Business Editor, Mr. Peter Egwuatu; Deputy Crime Editor, Evelyn Usman; Deputy Health Editor, Chioma Obinna; and Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs. Funmi Ajumobi, Online News Editor, Mr. Nwafor Sunday, Motoring Editor, Mr. Theodore Opara, among others.