LAGOS/Nigeria: The United States and France embassies have confirmed their participation in the upcoming summit on drug smuggling and human trafficking, organized by the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) in collaboration with the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO). This announcement was made by Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, Chairman of the AMANO/MASPAN Planning Committee, during a press conference at the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) secretariat in Lagos.
Scheduled for August 22 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the summit will be chaired by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola. Maiguwa emphasized the urgency of the event, citing growing concerns over the increasing number of large-scale drug seizures on ships arriving at Nigerian ports and the persistent issue of stowaways on vessels departing from the country.
“Ships have been detained for several months, and their crew members have faced trials that kept them away from their families for years in cases of drug smuggling,” Maiguwa said. He expressed hope that the summit would lead to actionable solutions and the establishment of a working group to implement the resolutions.
The summit will also address the ongoing challenge of human trafficking and stowaways, particularly in Lagos ports. These incidents have caused significant delays to vessels and have placed a heavy burden on shipowners due to the complex administrative protocols involved in handling stowaways.
Maiguwa stressed the importance of the summit, noting the disruption that drug smuggling and human trafficking pose to shipping operations, including increased costs and the traumatic experiences faced by seafarers. The event aims to align with critical agencies to reduce, if not eradicate, these illegal activities in the maritime domain. It also seeks to ensure that perpetrators are penalized without punishing innocent parties, thereby preserving the growth potential of the industry.
The summit has garnered support from key stakeholders, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which has committed to participating in the panel discussions. In addition to the U.S. and France embassies, both international and local shipping companies have shown keen interest in attending the event.
