Incident Alert – Tanker Boarded in Lagos Port, Nigeria

Incident Details

On 02 January 2025, it was reported that while anchored at Lagos Port, the tanker NORD MAVERICK was boarded by suspected sea robbers. Four individuals were seen on board. The crew raised the alarm, prompting the intruders to flee. The crew and vessel were confirmed safe, and local port authorities were notified.

Fig 1. Location of Incident

Comment. Criminal activity within the Gulf of Guinea has increased recently with the MDAT-GOG reporting that out of a total of 21 incidents recorded in 2024, 9 of these incidents have occurred during the past 3 months, a 43% rise since October 2024. The breakdown of incidents per country is as follows: Nigeria (4), Ghana (3), Angola (3), Equatorial Guinea (3), Cameroon (2), Gabon (2), Guinea-Bissau (2), Benin (1), Côte d’Ivoire (1).

Assessment. Several factors may be responsible for the rise in criminal activity in the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria for example is facing increased insecurity, economic pressures, and subsequent political unrest. The government has attempted to quell these issues but has struggled to address a surge in violence by armed groups and economic discontent among the population, compounding the country’s already fragile state. As a result, inflation has continued to rise, with the already high cost of living exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and fluctuations in global oil prices. The impact on the general public resulted in protests erupting in Lagos and Abuja in December as citizens expressed frustration over soaring living costs, with demonstrators demanding immediate government intervention. Due to the worsening economic situation across the Gulf of Guinea, there is likely to be an increase in criminality across the region. Although acts of piracy declined throughout 2024, it is possible that a rise an in financially motivated crime will inspire a resurgence of sea robberies. We advise ship operators to remain vigilant when in transit and in port, and to implement BMP 5 counter-piracy measures, including the embarkation of an armed security team, if possible, when transiting this region. BMP 5