A Study on Strengthening Control of Maritime Piracy in Nigeria’s Territorial Waters

Nigerian territorial waters have become hotspots for piratical acts due to the heavy traffic involving oil tankers. This illicit act has continued unabated as a result of corrupt tendencies of the security agencies, politicians, the oil companies and government of Nigeria, as well as Nigerian government’s lack of political will to tackle the menace decisively. This research, therefore, aims at recommending the use of port state control in combating piracy in the territorial waters of Nigeria. This should be strengthened by effective global, and domestic legal regimes. The research examines generally the causes, the legal framework, the use of port state control and challenges in the fight against piracy in Nigeria. This research therefore argues that the existing legal and non-legal regimes in Nigeria cannot sustain the fight against piracy and recommends that the use of port state control should be intensified, because ports can be used as launch pads for combating piracy in Nigeria territorial waters. More so, ports are the best place for monitoring and controlling activities in the maritime sector, particularly in enforcing international, regional and domestic legal regimes. Further, Port State Control (PSC) complements the flag state in determining and detaining sub-standard vessel, preventing the violation of international, regional and domestic legislations and ensuring that security measures are taken by vessel owners to prevent piracy.