Are Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) a Solution to Armed Robbery at Sea in Nigerian Waters?

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to establish whether Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) in Nigeria was a solution to armed robbery at sea in Nigerian waters. The Private Maritime Security Companies in Nigeria operated under rules set by the Nigerian Navy being the main custodian of maritime security in Nigeria. Although attempts were made to subvert those rules, the Navy has risen to clamp down on defaulters. It was found that what obtained in Nigerian waters was armed robbery at sea contrary to the widely used term piracy. The study also found that although PMSCs have not recorded any successful armed robbery attack on vessels or platforms they secured in Nigerian waters, the solutions to armed robbery at sea were infrastructural development based and employment related. The findings may be useful in proffering land based solutions to armed robbery at sea in Nigerian waters rather than resorting to securitization. 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Page Number

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1 Introduction1

1.2 Statement of the Problem2

1.3 Aim of the Dissertation5

CHAPTER TWO 

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction 8

2.2 Definition Maritime Security in Search of Meaning8

2.3 Distinction between Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea10

2.4 Causes of Armed Robbery at Sea in Nigeria Waters11

2.5 The Rise of Private Maritime Security Companies in Nigeria16

2.6 Mode of Operation of PMSCs in Nigeria18

2.7 Government Agencies Responsible for Waterways Security in Nigeria19

2.8 Role of Government in Enhancing Security in Nigeria Waterways21

CHAPTER THREE 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Conceptual Framework for Methodology23

3.2 Study Area23

3.3 Data Collection Technique 23

CHAPTER FOUR 

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Introduction 25

4.2 Summary of Findings25

4.3 Conclusion26

References28