The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has said it is determined to fight crimes in the country’s territorial waters.
It said with the SPOMO Act, it had secured 23 convictions.
A statement on Friday signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, quoted the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, as saying this when he hosted a branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in Apapa, Lagos.
Jamoh explained that out 23 convictions, 10 were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, while 10 others were given seven years each. Also, three foreigners were fined for their involvement in crime within the Nigerian territorial waters.
He described the secured convictions as a signal that Nigeria was in the right path in the war against piracy and other crimes on the nation’s waterways.
“With the SPOMO Act 2019, we have secured 23 convictions, out of which 10 were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, 10 seven years, while 3 foreigners were fined for their involvement in crime within the Nigerian territorial waters. This will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements who are still engaged in the nefarious activities on our waterways.”
The NIMASA boss said that the SPOMO ACT 2019 had come to stay.
He noted that the agency would not relent in ensuring a safe and secure maritime domain.
Jamoh promised to work with other organs of government, international community and other stakeholders to achieve improved security in the Nigerian waterways and the Gulf of Guinea.
