Piracy In West Africa Reaching Dangerous Proportions, Says Watchdog -- The Guardian
While Somalia has seen a decline in hijackings in recent months, incidents are on the rise in west Africa.
Piracy in west Africa is reaching dangerous proportions, the global piracy watchdog has said, with the increase in attacks fuelled by Nigerian criminals.
As efforts continue to rescue seven foreign workers kidnapped from a vessel off the coast of Nigeria earlier this week, the director of the international maritime bureau (IMB) warned that the region was now a major focal point for armed robberies at sea, and criticised the lack of efforts by governments in the region to tackle the problem.
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My Comment: Struggling governments. Millions underemployed or unemployed. Extreme poverty. A lack of law enforcement. A perfect mix for gangs to hijack ships and commit other mayhem.