Water Bodies, Maritime Domains and National Security

Abstract

Water bodies and Maritime Domains are repository of valuable resources with significant role in the support of the socio-economic growth and development of nation states. Nevertheless, it constitutes threat to national security. This Study therefore examined how water bodies and Maritime Domains threatened Nigeria’s national security. The Study objective was to find out specific water bodies related activities that make national security vulnerable. Two questions were used to guide the study and data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Geopolitical theory was used as the framework of analysis. Thematic Analytical approach was used in analyzing data gathered for the study. The study identified Atlantic Ocean, Lagos Lagoon, Lake Chad, Benue River, Osun River, Oguta Lake as Nigeria’s water bodies and, Exclusive Economic Zone, Territorial waters, Continental Shelf, Niger Delta water ways among others as its maritime domains. The study result shows that piracy, armed robbery, oil theft, human and armed trafficking, illegal fishing and poaching, including maritime pollution and environmental degradation are water bodies and maritime domains related activities that threaten Nigeria’s National Security. The study further revealed that Gulf of Guinea, Continental Shelf, Lake Chad and Niger Delta water ways are major hotspots for these security threats. The increasing complex of globalized economic, ecological and cultural changes made these threats to endured. Based on these findings, the study concludes that an inclusive international cooperation over water bodies and maritime domains, with Nigeria’s effective inter security agencies collaboration would reduce threat to its national security and also promote economic prosperity and environmental security.