Maritime Piracy: Nature and Implications on National Security in Nigeria 

The paper examined the nature and implications of maritime piracy on national security in Nigeria. Relative deprivation theory was adopted as the theoretical framework. Maritime piracy is becoming security challenge to many nations. Maritime piracy is an act of violence committed against crew persons and those boarding ships at seaports, and territorial waters for private ends. Maritime piracy is a global crime inflicting unquantifiable economic losses to many nations. Most of the piratical activities perpetrated in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) occur in the coasts of Nigeria. Nigeria remains the hotspot of piracy in Africa. The increasing piratic activities in the GoG pose serious security threat. It became detrimental to maritime business and socioeconomic development on Nigeria waters. It has affected water transportation, fishing and commercial activities in Nigeria. Nigeria is facing challenge on oceans constituting a threat to national security. Shipping has for a long time been recognized as one of the strong catalysts for socio-economic development. Maritime piracy in Nigeria include: theft of oil and cargo, Illegal fishing, trafficking of counterfeit items, people, narcotics and arms, oil bunkering, kidnapping, hijacking of ship.Key words: Maritime insecurity, Implication, Nature, Ocean, Piracy