ABUJA, March 16 (Reuters) – Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea signed an settlement to determine mixed patrols to bolster safety within the Gulf of Guinea, which has been tormented by piracy in the previous couple of years, a spokesman for Nigeria’s president stated on Wednesday.

Garba Shehu stated the settlement, which comes amid the backdrop of an increase in pipeline assaults within the oil-producing Niger Delta area of Africa’s largest crude producer, was signed late on Tuesday by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

Pirate assaults in West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a big supply of oil, cocoa and metals for world markets, pose a risk to delivery firms. Pirates goal oil tankers, often wanting hostages for ransom and to promote stolen gasoline.

“The conclusion and signing of the agreement is expected to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea and help in curbing maritime crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft, sabotage of oil rigs and arms smuggling,” stated Shehu.

In a press release, Shehu stated the settlement — signed on the finish of Buhari’s two-day go to to Equatorial Guinea’s capital, Malabo — established “a combined Maritime Policing and Security Patrol Committee”.

The creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta are linked to the Gulf of Guinea.

Earlier this week Nigeria’s data minister vowed that the federal government would prosecute those that assault the nation’s oil pipelines.

Security consultants say pirates have emerged from militant teams in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta, such because the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Toby Chopra)

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