The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said maritime security has improved in the last five months due to collaborations with relevant stakeholders.

The spokesperson of Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos, said several people, including seafarers, were taken hostage by pirates in the past.

“This was beginning to affect our trade, but the narrative has changed due to efforts of the Nigerian Navy and with collaboration from regional and national maritime stakeholders,” he said.

He said piracy on Nigeria’s waters had been dealt with following the navy’s hard work and the will of the maritime stakeholders and political class.

“The International Maritime Bureau, the Defence Web and International Maritime Reporters have alluded to the fact that Nigeria is no longer a piracy-prone nation.

“We are happy for this and are putting in efforts to sustain it for the good of Nigeria,” he said.

The head of NAN Lagos operations, Ephraims Sheyin, who received Mr Ayo-Vaughan and some other NAN senior editorial staff, said the agency had a cordial relationship with the Nigerian Navy.

Mr Sheyin urged Mr Ayo-Vaughan to always respond to journalists’ questions about the navy’s operations to promote accuracy in news reporting.

(NAN)