Vice Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu has urged increased maritime vigilance following a brazen armed robbery targeting artisanal fishermen off Senya Beraku on February 26.
The incident, which occurred about four kilometres offshore, saw approximately 50 fishermen robbed of outboard motors, communication radios, and other personal belongings after armed assailants fired warning shots. Vice Admiral Yakubu, also chair of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute, described the attack as highly unusual, noting that small-scale fishermen are rarely targeted in traditional piracy operations, which typically focus on high-value commercial vessels or oil tankers.
Analyzing the event, he raised concerns about the logistics of the robbery, suggesting it is unlikely the perpetrators were local, given the difficulty of quickly disposing of stolen equipment within Ghana without attracting attention. He cautioned that the attack could signal emerging asymmetric threats, including actors testing maritime vulnerabilities or seeking to disrupt local coastal economies.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for maritime authorities in Ghana and the sub-region,” Vice Admiral Yakubu said, stressing the need to accelerate the deployment of coastal surveillance systems and enhance the Ghana Navy’s operational capabilities with high-endurance offshore patrol vessels.
He warned that as neighbouring countries bolster their maritime security, criminal networks may exploit weaker points, noting, “Crime flows in the direction of least resistance.” The retired naval chief assured the public that security operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding Ghana’s territorial waters and contributing to regional maritime stability.
