Nigerian Navy makes a stand on embarked armed guards

The Nigerian Navy finally have now officially, clearly and unambiguously stated that the Memorandum of Understanding is NOT about embarking armed guards on client vessels. This has always been the official position of the navy, but for various reasons, the organisation has been uanble to enforce their own policy. As a part of it's organisational overhaul, the Nigerian Navy is now taking a more pro-active stance in maritime security and has stated their intent to enforce the stipulations of the MoU by PMSCs or withdraw the MoU.  On behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear-Admiral Osundo, Head of Standards and Transformation in the Operations Directorate, reiterated the official navy’s position vis-à-vis INTERTANKO and BIMCO that:

• Armed guards are no longer allowed on board merchant vessels, i.e. tankers. This rule applies to anyone carrying a firearm, whether from the navy, police or any other agency civilian or military.

• The Nigerian navy has entered into agreements with private security companies to supply armed escort vessels. These escort vessels are painted in Nigerian navy colours, have a Nigerian navy designation and will be crewed by, and under the command of, the navy. Civilian contractors would be on board to assist in maintenance and other general duties.

• No private security company has the right to place armed guards on board merchant vessels.

• There is one MoU for all twenty MoU holders. There are no special annexes, no dispensations or side-agreements to it.

For those in doubt, RAdm Osundo, at LISW and thereafter, also reiterated that privately operated escort vessels should meet Nigerian Navy standards (including suitable armament) and be approved by the Nigerian Navy prior to embarking Navy crews and weapons on it. A number of MoU holders do not meet many of the most elementary requirements of the MoU. Therefore, Risk Intelligence, on behalf of our clients, has carried out desk-top and on-site due diligence assessments of private maritime security companies operating escort vessels in Nigeria to gain a better insight into the real capabilities and level of compliance.