Olayemi Esan, Abuja
The Nigerian Navy on Friday urged Nigerians and Media to reject current information on the rate of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), saying it is inaccurate and unverified news reports.
In a Statement signed by Commodore Suleman Dahun, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu, said that these reports are a deliberate ongoing effort to discourage maritime traffic as well as heighten freight and insurance cost in the Region.
He added that, a case in point is the reported hijack of a vessel, MV ODIANOSEN by a notable maritime information media source, Dryad Global which turned out to be false and alarmist.
"Notwithstanding these alarmist reports, the Nigerian Navy wishes to reiterate its commitment to partnering with all strategic and allied partners for a safer and crime free GoG", he said.
Thus, the Nigerian Navy advised all Nigerian media organisations/agencies to be wary of any calculated attempt at tarnishing the image of the nation in furtherance of an untoward maritime agenda.