Published: Jan. 4, 2013 at 2:34 PM
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Nigeria has emerged as a new center for piracy, with the number of attacks steadily increasing despite the government's naval assets, authorities say.

In December 2012 alone, gunmen attacked three commercial vessels within six days, ransacking the ships and taking a total of nine crew members hostage, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

In 2012, there were 27 attacks off Nigeria's coast, said the International maritime Bureau. In 2011, there were 10 incidents of piracy and in 2010, 19.

Comparison can be made to Somalia, on the other side of the continent. But piracy dropped by two-thirds in Somalia last year, and Nigeria has, for Africa, impressive naval resources: warships, a frigate, a number of surveillance drones and 200 naval troops trained by the U.S. navy, as well as a 378-foot Coast Guard cutter.

However, the country has been stymied in the use of those resources. The naval troops are pulling duty land-side, helping to fight terrorists in the desert north. Much of the rest of the equipment has been idled in various states of disrepair or a lack of funding sucked away by corruption.

Shipping lines that hire Nigerian sailors complain they are not adequately trained. And there is the immensity of the task -- Nigeria sits along the 2,100-mile-long coast of the Gulf of Guinea, and pirates have attacked as far as four countries and 400 miles away.

lovetterrison: 1st

HQ: Ah Phew, First thing that came to my mind was "The Pirate Bay".

Oh well, carry on. . .

SimonAndal: Nigeria is being compared to Somalia. Who woulda thought the day would come?
On another note, Aljazeera reports that the Mayan prophecy has been mistaken. The Mayans prophesied that SimonAndal is number 7! Nooooo!!

₱®ÌИСΞ:
nth
thank God this has nothing to do with the internet....*continues illegal downloads*

Rolly83:

You are a fool,A very big fool!




That does not warrant an abusive words bro

Rolly83:

You are a fool,A very big fool!


y the venom na?

youve not displayed wisdom either

Rolly83:

You are a fool,A very big fool!

A fool will readily spot another fool

lovetterrison: 1st

redcliff:

Omo this your username u always have to copy and paste it otherwise you no go fit login.lol.

lovetterrison: 1st

donfatosa: I think the western media derive pleasure in tarnishing Nigeria image, comparing Nigeria and Somalia in terms of piracy is not just stupid, it shows that they just want to destroy the image of Nigeria. Nigerian Navy, pls take note.

Rolly83:

You are a fool,A very big fool!

Rolly83:

You are a fool,A very big fool!



silence is the best ,,,,for an ignorant f===k..retard educated illetrate