The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Alvero Aguilar, yesterday counteracted earlier reports which equated West Africa's waters (Gulf of Guinea) as the new hot-spot for piracy, stressing that the level of piracy in Nigerian cannot in any way be compared to that in Somalia (Gulf of Aden).
The ambassador made this disclosure yesterday when the Spanish patrol vessel, MV ARYO, under the command of Lieutenant Rafael Rodriguez, made a port visit to Nigeria to strengthen bi-lateral ties with Nigeria as well as engage the Nigerian Navy personnel in training.
The visiting navy was received by the Flag Officers Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC) and Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admirals Ibok-Ette Ibas and Azubuike Ajuonu respectively.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) had in its reports declared that the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa has overtaken Somalia's Gulf of Guinea as the world's piracy hotspot, with over 966 sailors attacked by pirates and 206 taken hostage.
While admitting that piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which borders Nigerian waters, is a source of concern, Aguilar said, "But in no way can we compare the situation in Somalia with that of Nigeria in that regard.
" Even piracy in that part of the continent of the Gulf of Aden cannot be compared to what we have here in Nigeria. The Nigerian situation is not potentially as dangerous as that of Somalia."
He commended the Nigerian government's efforts in providing maritime security at the Gulf of Guinea especially in the fight against sea robbery and piracy, adding that his country was ever ready to partner Nigeria on maritime security.
Alvero however lamented that the problem of commercial shipping and fishing had been worrisome to the community of nations which was the reason why the Spanish Navy agreed to be part of Operation Atlanta in the Gulf of Aden.
According to him, the operations of the Spanish Navy at sea has reduced sea robbery, piracy and kidnapping to about one third, adding that, the Nigerian Navy (NN) at Gulf of Guinea also played the same role and reduce piracy to minimal level.
In response, the FOC NAVTRAC, expressed Nigeria's readiness to partner with any navy for the safe keep of the international waters, adding that the security of the nation's waters remains paramount to the government of Nigeria.
Also, the FOC WNC, stressed that the NN would use the opportunity to share its experience of combat readiness at the Gulf of Guinea and also share that of Spanish navy's experience at the Gulf of Aden during a joint exercise at sea.
At the end of the exercise, THISDAY gathered that four NN personnel would board MV Rayo to Dakar, Senegal to put to practice what they must learnt during the joint training.
Similarly, Captain Abraham Adaji, maintained that the problem of piracy is not limited to Nigeria, but it extends to all other African maritime nations, adding that efforts are at an advanced stage to frontally combat piracy in the continent.
The Commanding Officer, MV RAYO, Rodriguez also expressed their willingness to partner with the NN on safe keeping at the international waters as they have done in the Gulf of Aden during Operation Atlanta.
The MV RAYO is a patrol vessel which can also do the work of a frigate but with lesser crew member. The vessel currently has 85 crew members and sophisticated armament to conduct policing duties at sea.
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