What began as a struggle for the political and economic autonomy of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has morphed into organised crime of transnational dimensions that has turned the West African coast and the Gulf of Guinea into one of the most unsafe maritime zones in the world and is decimating Nigeria’s economy. The crimes include kidnapping for ransom, maritime piracy, armed robbery at sea, the theft and smuggling of oil and other contraband products, illegal oil refining and bunkering. This report analyses the current drivers of organised crime in the region, arguing that crime has become a fundamental element of the struggle.
About the author
Maurice Ogbonnaya is a Senior Research Consultant in the ENACT organised crime programme. He previously worked as a policy and security analyst at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in the National Assembly, Abuja, Nigeria. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Nigeria. He has a PhD in international relations from University of Uyo, Nigeria.
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