Maritime Security: PIRACY IN GULF OF GUINEA INCREASING AT ALARMING RATE -- US

*UN Security Council urges stronger regional approach on eradicating piracy

UNITED NATIONS -- The United States says piracy and armed robbery are increasing at an alarming rate in the Gulf of Guinea, pointing to two reports by industry experts of at least 32 attacks off the coast of Nigeria alone so far this year.

U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison singled out two pirate attacks off the Nigerian coast on April 11 that led to the apparent kidnapping of a total of eight crew members including the captain of one vessel, a Turkish cargo ship.

She told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday that "the economic consequences for the people of the region are devastating," pointing to a report by the London think-tank Chatham House saying as much as 400,000 barrels of crude oil are stolen every day in the Gulf of Guinea.

However, United Nations officials call for a comprehensive regional framework to eradicate piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, with the Security Council stressing the importance of addressing underlying causes and strengthening justice systems and judicial cooperation in the region.

In the name of Nigeria

Is there anybody out there who can talk for these people in authority to listen? Nigeria is gradually grinding to a halt and the price is getting increasingly unbearable. Things are deteriorating fast and fast. They are going out of hand and it appears that the state whose major responsibility is the protection of our lives and property is exhibiting some measure of hopelessness.

Yes, hopelessness because what we see and hear across the country is murder and arson from restive groups and individuals while the state which posses the legitimate coercive apparatuses is fast joining the chanting crowds and is pointing fingers and singing in different tunes reminiscence of evidences of either helplessness pry failure.

What is really happening is the question that millions of our citizens are asking and answers do not seem to be coming from the right quarters.