The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has raised concern after the killing of four alleged pirates by the Danish naval forces.
According to information, the incident took place when the frigate Esbern Snare attempted to board the pirate boat, when an exchange of fire occured.
What is more, in a statement by the NMLA President, Funke Agbor, SAN, and the Honorary Secretary, Dr Emeka Akabogu, the association called for an independent enquiry to look into the location of the incident to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty.
More specifically, the statement reads:
The Association supports all efforts to rid the Gulf of Guinea of piracy, maritime offences and all forms of criminality. It is concerned, however, about the sanctity of Nigeria’s sovereignty, application of the rule of law and respect for protocols of engagement with regard to the instant incident, which is alleged to have occurred in international waters, 25 to 30 nautical miles south of Nigeria’s territorial waters, and the emerging security regime in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Association also calls on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to immediately begin the formulation and implementation of a maritime strategy as mandated by the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019, including strategic security synergy between all law enforcement and commercial shipping actors.
