Latest updates and guidance in the use of armed security (armed escort vessels) in Nigerian waters. Credit to: Vallehr / Shutterstock.com On 18 February 2021, Risk Intelligence published a set of guidelines concerning the use of privately contracted government security forces in Nigeria. The publication was released following the recent developments on the disbanding of the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) and to provide clarity in the use of armed security (armed escort vessels) in Nigerian waters. The use of armed guards on merchant ships has been expressly prohibited by the Nigerian Navy's Chief of Naval Staff on 6 June 2016. This has resulted in the Nigerian Navy entering contractual relationships with private security companies which have been governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since 2012 which was comprehensively revised in 2016 and again in 2019. The number of private maritime security companies – now designated as Private Maritime Logistics Support Companies (PMLSCs) which has since been increased to 30 MoU holders. The publication highlights the following: The Nigerian Navy and NIMASA are the only organisations in Nigeria that are empowered to maintain safety and security in territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Nigerian Marine Police's jurisdiction is limited to protecting ports and waterways (inland of the fairway buoys). The NIMASA Act empowers the agency to contract private companies or make other arrangements with them to provide specific services related to the safety and security in Nigeria's maritime domain, i.e. territorial waters and the EEZ. Unless related to the Nigerian Navy's own arrangements with private security companies under the MoU, NIMASA considers it an offence for a vessel sailing in Nigeria's territorial waters to have any person (Nigerian citizen or foreigner) described as a security guard and/or performing functions of a security expert or bridge advisor (armed or unarmed) on board. The offending ves