# Introduction lavery and slave activities in the Gulf of Guinea brought in mine past dreams of havoc and horrors, was made known of it existences through efforts to put an end to this abominable act that treated mankind to the lower degree ever known throughout life. In spite of these attempted solutions presented as below, in the forms of resolutions in later days, another glaring activity that was actually gloomy emanated in the form of Sea Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and Close interior of the Western Coastline of Africa. Whatever be the case events proved that these two historical diagnoses brought history and reshaped certain pattern of this history that determined our study today to see if these dangerous Water Masses jamboree could be examine and resolve in subsequent times. It i s here that we draw the curtain to ask that; How was slavery and the Slave Trade Activity couple with that of the Transatlantic sea and Ocean Witness Sea Piracy all that has a disturbing effects in the Gulf of Guinea and adjacent environments or vicinities? To better answer this question it will be important to asserting the following point as label or presented below. Part one, Slave trade activities at the Gulf of Guinea during and after the transatlantic slave Trade era and Part Two: Sea Piracy in the Gulf of Gurnea in the Nineteenth and the Twenty First Centuries I. Slave Trade Activities at the Gulf of Guinea during and after the Transatlantic Slave Trade Era Indeed, the act of slavery, slaving and slave trade activities and later sea piracy was highly felt at the Gulf of Guinea: Bight of Benin, Bight of Biafra, Fernando Po, Rio del Rey to the Congo Basin. Areas like the Island of Sào Tome, Principe, Cape Verte in the Atlantic Gulf with it extension to Angola was engaged in conflicts, wars in pluralism forms depending the area were the activities took place, with the Transatlantic Gulf of Guinea South or Sub Saharan territories 1 II. Slave Trade Activities to Acquire Slaves at the Gulf of Guinea during the Transatlantic Slave Trade Era . # a) The Employment in Southern Yoruba land In Southern Yoruba land, some authors such as Osifekunde who can be supplemented by Samuel Johnson who was a Yoruba hist orian lived in Ibadan and it close vicinities from 1858 to 1901 gave us facts on the conflicts and wars that led to slavery, slaving and slave trade activities within the Gulf of Guinea, through Oral tradition, on the Yoruba land , wars in 1870s via 1897. Due to political instability in the Oyo heartland went ahead and redirected trade into non-Oyo areas. An area where slave trade was booming erupted another that also expanded the level and amount of slaves captured. The animosity came as a result of the changed and opening of new slave routes that passed through Central Yoruba land linking Ilorin to Owu, Ife, Ondo and Ijebu and through the Lagoon to Lagos, near the Owu-Ife border where the New North-South route crossed the East-West Yoruba route from Ile-Ife to Ibadan emerged the market town of Ap omu where slaves including many Oyo captives were bought by Ijebu traders in exchange for cowries, food stuff, textiles, and after 1820, firearms and tobacco. 2 However, it should be acknowledge that, the war appetite of the Oyo land increased due to the fact that banditry attacks against Oyo traders also increased hence forcing the chief to look for an allied such as Owu attacking nearby Ife villages blamed by victimizing Oyo traders. Now tension changed towards between Owu and Ife that collided with the Southward push migration of the displaced Oyo inhabitant searching for peaceful terrain and homes hence let to social conflicts in Central Yoruba land placed the Egba towns in a desperate condition that drew the emotion as Oyo victims of refugees migrants, got much encounter on slaving activities thus play vital and greater role in the Atlantic slave trade 3 . The pushed became wave-like as the Egba state of the forest and Ijebu who were barriers to Oyo state population. It should be noted here that after a period of five years of long combate Owu's became captives as their village was destroyed and its inhabitants enslaved. They seek refuge in to the Egba, Ijebu and Ife towns their neighbor close to the seas. Furthermore, chief Ogunbona of Abeokuta said, one attacked led to another. For example, after the fall of Owu, Ikija was the next attacked due to her assistance to the former during her siege since the Ikereku people were supported by the Ikija inhabitants. Here we al so note the Ife-Oyo alliance that led to clashes and ethnic rivalry divided them into two camps. A group was led by an Ife army chief; Maye Okunde occupied Iporo an Egba town. Under LabosindeLakanle mostly of Oyo and Ijebu town of Ipara and later Isara, the Ijebu fighters came under his controlled. Here Maye and Labosinde post sacked Egba and Ijebu Remo towns enumerated at about 150 between 1823 and 1827 which captives were sold to Ijebu traders who sold captives to European trader in Lagos for the oceanic drive or journey. This military pursuit that ramshackle the Yoruba land successfully and profits from banditry and the trade guaranteed peace 4 As a resolution of this conflicts that led to disastrous escalation of war some solutions were attain to or at. In the war Great Warriors were attributed with military titles medals. Some were ordained like the case of the Owu and Erunmu wars, some songs were chanted to the actors Kurumi received much praise for his warring from his admirers who composed a poem of honor to him. # "Opa Maye, OpaOgini Opa Degesin, Ofiokoti Ife laya" "he killed Maye, Ogini and Degesin, And plunges hi s spear into the c hests Of Ife fighters" 5 The war transformed Ibadan into an Oyo-Yoruba town and a new super power in Yoruba power politics. As a regards to the slave affairs, the British House of Common ratifies in 1833 the 1807 law that went operational or was promulgated in 1808. The Ecomosho slaves that reached the coast via the popular Central Yoruba slave route from Llorin to Owu-Ife-Osun border to the Ijebu lagoon Port towns of Ikosi or Ikorodu and on the Lagoon to Lagos to practice the legitimate trade of goods from the hinterland to the outlet to the sea in the Yoruba region. The territory Lagos became a trade receptacle according to George Rebertson who was a British trader on this way. Lag os became a new born city from 1860 to 1900 and henceforth. The major Port today in Nigeria as it lies between the branches of the Niger and Dahomian trade which the inhabitants are now disposed of good industries. Additionally, the headwork of slaves coming into Lagos via the routes gave or served as a spring board for the slave ship Manuelita to be very busy and active here. The slave-ship was combated at sea by the British Naval Warship which in the ship some number of slave was rescued . Others slave ships like Esparanea Feliz which Ajayi (Ajai) crowther Samuel was sold with 186 others making 187 sold were held in chains for three to four months for Brazil 6 the Remo towns secured the Yoruba coastal trade, as she remove the nearest trade rival which the Ijebu finally took control and secured virtual monopoly of the Yoruba slave trade like the Aro leaders in the Bight of Biafra, the Ijebu traders were dispersed all over Yoruba land especially in major trade towns and near war camps. 5 Olatunji Ojo the slave ship Manuelita and the story of a Yoruba community, 1833-1834, ?, P. 128; 6 Ibid, pp. 129-130 . Intercepted at sea, he was rescued , later we learned he became a Bishop hence Ajayi and wright were prevented or rescued from the slave ship, from docking or anchor or harbor at Lagos. At sea the slave ship could not douched or escaped the Naval forces and another slave king who was sold to a Muslim trader, who took him first to Iereku Ida (big Ikereku) and later Oko and into the hands of long distance slave traders. On the way in Spanish from Lagos to Cuba he was captured at sea and landed in Sierra Leone. Demographically, the Ecomosho slaves liberated and the Manuelita ship was condemned ten days after it capture and register of the slaves aboard was compiled two weeks later. Their names were changed and Christian names given to them. This made them have a unique identity as an adequate census of slaves processed by the court. Cases were tried involving interpreters, translators in other to identify the slaves on board the Manuelita. Some datas clearly shows the active works of the British to end conflicts wars and raids of all sort or type during the transatlantic slavery slaving and slave trade. The existed some statistics; the demographic profile of the said ship about 477 slaves were liberated hence 412 males (86.4%) and 65 females (13.6%) or 379 adults (79.5%) and 98 children (20.5%), children from 0 to 13 years consi sted of 69 boys and 29 girls while the women included 343 men and 36 women (the oldest women was about 21 years). The age breakdown was more fascinating the youngest slaves on board were three ten year old girls. There were eleven children estimated to be eleven years old, 27 slaves twelve year, 49 were thirteen years and eighteen were fourteen years old, 49 were in their late teens, 206 in their twenties, nineteen in their thirties and only two slaves were above 40 years, one 46 and another 48. The age profile related closely to some features of Yoruba wars. Soldiers often killed senior citizens and captured prime adults and children. At this moves many were liberated and the town of Lag os became a giant city we see today, since abolition gave chances for developmental processes. It should be noted that crisis al so arise between the Dahomians and Yoruba 7 b) The Western Yorubaland and Dahomey conflict of conquest . As it existed in the northern Yorubaland, so was the same case that existed in the Western Yorubaland. Conflict and war emanated which several slaves were engulf and exp orted for the Transatllantic slave trade. There was a series of clashes between the Oyo and Llorin forces during which the later sacked some towns, capital like Old Oyo, Kanla, Gbogun, Ikoyi and Akese all located to the West and North West of modern Llorin and Ogbomoso. These cities fell between 1831 and 1822 afterward s that the Egba, another section of the Yoruba, had established a new kingdom not far away from Dahomey. Dahomey repeatedly but unsuccessfully attempted a total annihilation of the nascent Egba kingdom in furtherance of its economic and political interest. More so, the relations between Dahomey and Yoruba go far back into history as narrated by Oral traditions, of the Yoruba, the Aja and the Ewe peoples. Under the leadership of Tado of Aja, contact had existed 7 Ibid culturally and political identify and the Yoruba peoples under the leadership of Ife. This cultural contact was very strong as the Yoruba language was the lingua franca of both the Aja and the Ewe. The religious beliefs of Dahomey derived from the Yoruba country. Due to a first and second invasion in 1680 and 1682, and 1698 Allada would seem to have become a vassal state to the Ala fin of Oyo 8 Furthermore, since Dahomey depended more on the slave trade and therefore the most hard hit economically by the abolition. Dahomey became the aggressor while the Yoruba states of Abeokuta, Egbado and Ketu were on the defensive. Gezo of Dahomey became offensive against Yorubaland, which he end up to destroy Egbado town of Refurefu about the middle of the 1830s. later in 1844 Egba and Dahomey forces clashes as mention above at Ardo, another Egbado town, the Egba emerged victorious which many slaves were captured for domestic and transatlantic purposes or mission 9 . Mention able was the episode were the royal insigma of the king, his Umbrella, royal stool and royal war charms were destroyed with 16,000 forces which Gezo never recover all lost until he died in 1858. Gelele the successor of Gezo 1858 to 1889 took over. Inspite of all effort made, all was ab ortive. Though he conquered Ketu but he did not occupy it. He was succeeded by Behanzin 1889 to 1894 who attacked and had a conquest over Cotonou which brought him into a clash with the French who defeated him in 1894 and annexed his territory. From 1726-1821 Dahomey suffered raids, conquest and oppression at the hands of Oyo 10 . From the attacks from both side slaves were captured and the captives was used domestically while some, for the Atlantic slave trade. As Dahomey paid to Oyo an annual Anbute of forty men, forty women, forty guns and 4000 loads of cowries and coral s all of this amounted to about £32,000. They were able to reorganize and strengthen her government and her armed forces 11 The result of the war Dahomey-Yoruba tantamount to far reaching effects. The state of Dahomey was ruined militarily and economically. After the 1864 much loses were incurred as the military strength was drastically reduced or broken. It was only when the French came that she gain or recover from the defeat in 1894. She, Dahomey never enjoyed the rich Egbado country as her kings had hoped to do. But her economy dropped and probably the attacked could . have weakened the Oyo and led to the incursion of the Fulani in the Oyo Empire from the North of Nigeria. Cotonou was ceded into France in 1878 and in 1880s, the French acquired control over the coast of what is now Dahomey. For example, in 1883, Porto Novo, little Popo, and Grand Popo accepted French protection. As a resolution since the economy of the Dahomian in the 18 th and 19 th century had come to remain and depend on slave trade for survival, the abolition let to economic depression as a resulting dependence upon the slave traffic. The areas of slave supply in the West of Dahomey had been exhausted; the slaves from Oyo were now passing through the Porto Novo and in great level. Then in 1807 the British Government abolished the slave trade and began to persuade other European powers to do same" 12 From the above, it was only in 1851 that the British decided and blockaded the Port and coast of Dahomey via Badagry and Lagos that it became effectively blocked and Gezo began a change from slave to trade in palm oil. Palm oil trade change positively to the growing increase oil production. The Nineteenth century that opened with Dahomey on a mood of political crisis began actually with the assassination of Agonglo (1790-1797) in 1797, the reign of hi s son and successor Adandoza (1797-1818) was very uneasy one as attempts were made to change the dynasty and finally Gezo overthrew Adandoza and succeeded at last in establishing a new dynasty hence all this while slavery and slave trade had gain grounds which Gezo and his successor Gelele made efforts to accept the British abolition principles as they established royal palm plantation and encouraged their officials and other sub sjects to do so. The slaves became engaged and diverted to plantation labour since their tendency to be exported to the Americas has ended. In 1870s and 1900 the trade on palm oil and other related goods proved successful which about £500,000 worth of palm production was shipped out of Dahomey. Food crops productions were carried out at or near Abomey to feed the expanding population. Livestock production like goat, sheep , cattle and pigs was breaded for consumption and exp ortation. Fishing and hunting was not left out as the seas, oceans and rivers such as Momo, Xou, Weme, Yewa, LakNokue. The slave trade routes change from the exportation of slaves to that of legitimate goods. Areas like the Port Novo, Savi, Badagry, Tokple, Whydah, Jakin, Ketu, Sabe, 12 Ibid, P 83 (various steps were taken by Dahomean kings in the 19th century to prevent the economic collapse of the state. At the first Gezo stoutly resisted the Abolition of the slave trade. He rejected all offers of compensation by the British and maintained a close collaboration with Brazilians and Portuguese traders at Whydah who continued to smuggled out to the New World. As a result the slave trade continued ? the Dahomean coast until the 1850s. It is estimated that his annual revenue from the slave trade at this time amounted to about £600,000.) Abomey, Mahi, Lama Marshes around the Gulf of Guinea became busy. This came as a result of the Resolution of the conflicts and wars fought that enhanced slavery or enslavements and slave trade 13 Furthermore, as a resolution of the wars and conflicts that made resurfaced slavery and slave trade, to end it, the United Nations in fostering the abolition around the Yoruba areas, of Lagos, Benin, Oyo, Badegry, Porto Novo, Dahomey carried out some activities which the Secretary General in his message read by the National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, Zho explained that the United Nations remember slavery programme was aimed at ensuring that the lessons of slavery were learned and headed today. "We need to tell the stories of those who stood up against their oppressors, and rec ognise their righteous resi stance". He added, "on this International Day of Remembrance, we pay homage to the millions of African men, women and children who were denied their humanity and forced to endure such abominable cruelty . 14 The Transatlantic slave trade was one of hi story most appealing manifestations of human barbarity which we must never forget the crimes and impacts in Africa and beyond. The should be hounour by standing up against the ongoing forms of slavery, by raising awareness of the dangers of racism . 15 13 « Domestic slaves were now increasingly diverted to the farms to cultivate these crops and prepare them for export. Palm oil export was thus becoming important. In 1856, 15.000 tons of palm oil was exported from Egbaland alone. Lagos was the chief port of Yorubaland. There were five routes from Lagos to the interior but the three most important were the Egbahroute?" K P.C Onwubiko, History of the West Africa?, P. 95 14 Oluseyi Soremekun, The National Information Offi ce of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria. 15 Th United Secretary-general Antonio Guterres in his message on the 2019 International Day of Remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlanti c slave trade commemorated in Nigeria on the 25 March 2019 at Badegry, a slave trade Port over 400 years ago. . Still as a resolution of the of the slavery and slave trade activities emphasizing on the abolition, this was organised at the Yorubaland in Badagry Nigeria by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) at Lagos Education District V, the observance held at Grammar school Badagry attended by 1,200 students, school principals, teachers, traditional rulers and some parents. The educational programme featured a visit to the Mobee Royal family Slave Relics Museum, Badegry and the Heritage Museum, Poster Exhibition and series of Drama was presented by various schools in attendance. He went ahead to speak on behal f of the National Infromation Officer/Director Mr. Ronald Kayanja who called on parents and guardians to shun all forms of modern slavery including Child labour and human trafficking. "The grass is always not green on the other side', he added" 16 More still, Dr. Soremekun disclosed that the victims are in memory as the General Assembly commemorated in its resolutions 62/122 of December 2007, declared 25 match the International Day of Remembrance of the victims of slavery and the Transatlantic slave trade to be observed annually to inculcate in future generations the "causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade, to be observed annually to inculcate in future generations the "causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade, and to communicate the dangers of racism and prejudice. Additionally, the Tutor General who is permanent secretary of Lagos Education District V, Mrs. Anike Adekanye, noted that slavery in any form was evil and should not be condoned in the modern society. She urged the students to be bold to report teachers, parents, uncles and anyone that attempted to subject them to any form of abuse or inhuman treatment be it in school or at home. . 17 More so, this resolution became practical as Mrs Anike Adekanye shared to syudent telephone numbers of police in the Badegry area and the Lagos state and child protection office with the audience. This was a memorable one as students highlighted the brutality of slavery, harms of modern day slavery, human trafficking and forced labour through dance, music, poetry and drama. In an exhibition of twenty one posters titled, "Remember slavery: say it loud" the student were brief on the role that architectures of African descent to various sectors of the American society and promoting their professi onal development which the designs explains voice to the African diasp ora consciousness. The students learn that the p ort of Badagry was major for the transportation of enslaved African people 18 . The entry and objective here was to remember the horrific moment in life that human beings in Africa went through and which should not repeat itsel f in any format or way, hence it was styled, "International Day of Remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. This took place on March 27, 2019 under the auspices of Oluseyi Soremekun 19 16 The National Information Offi cer who represented the Director Mr. Ronald Kayanja. Slave trade according to him was racism and prejudice as Africans were the main targets leading to an extensive exodus of Africans spread to many areas of the world over a 400 years period which was unprecedented in the annals of recorded human history. 17 United Nations Information Centre, Service to Nigeria, slavery: We must Never Forget the crimes and Impacts in Africa and Beyond-Guterres (date consulted 11/09/2019 at 10:27). 18 Badagry is a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) designated slave trade Route and widely noted as a major port in the export of slaves to the Africans. 19 UN House Abuja, Sustainable Development Goals Guterres advocates Greener Future for all, United to Reform. . However, UNIC in partnership with African Renaissance Foundation, organi sed victims of slavery for above 400 years ago in memories. The approximately, 15 million people who were deported from Africa through the Transatlantic slave trade were women. The endurance harsh conditions of forced labour as a slave experienced extreme forms of discrimination due to skin colour 20 c) The Conflicts and War with the People of South Eastern Ni geria during the period of Slave Trade. . The coastal people found south stretching to the Eastern part of Nigeria and up to the Niger confluence had undergone some people of conquest due to one reason or the other that could be as an example struggle for successorship. Thi s tribes or people could be the Benin, Warri , Bonny, the Niger-Ibo states, the Niger Delta states, Kalaberi, Ibo, Ibibio and others. It should be noted that all this wars gave chances for the capture of slaves which motivated the transatlantic slave trade. Although Benin was in decline or less powerfull but still engaged in warfare. A bloody civil war erupted in 1804 when the Obanosa died which brought about a dispute between the two claimants Osemwede and Ogbebo which the bloody conflict or civil war led to the death of Ogbebo lost. His partisan became captives though existed revolt in the provinces. Stil the existed another issue or affaire of succession dispute after the death of Oba Osemwede in 1848 which lastly Oba Adolo emerged successful but was confronted with much conflicts of raids from his rivals forces operating from a place called Ishan 21 The Niger-Ibo States threw off their allegiance especially Abo and Onitsha which were growing as a result of the opening of the lower Niger to commercial activities. Since Benin had a trading ports all slaves gotten as a result of war flow out of the territory as bondage consequences of warring . This outlet river Benin was controlled by the Itsekins of Warri was governed by a wicket or tyrannical King. Two port s were opened which taxes were highly collected; by Olu Akengbuwa the king via hi s chief customs officers. A small town was belt called Reggio at the Ughoton creek and the Benin River. But due to quarrels, conflicts and wars, the king died followed by his two children but trade on slaves with the European still went ahead or on. Those at Bonny also had attacks which destroy Kalaberi on two occasions but it was still powerful. Pepple or Perekule promoted trade. From the wars, Bonny was able to export as many as 20, 000 slaves annually which about 16,000 of this slaves came from the heart of Iboland persons in the form of slaves which the war canoes carried about 140 persons each with guns. At the time king Pepple died, Bonny inhabitant amounted 20,000 persons due to traders presence 23 Conflicts still goes on in other areas or avenue like the Kalaberi conflict in the Canoe Houses in Bonny had resulted in the evacuation of one of the houses, in Kalabari. It should be noted that George Amakir of Amakin House was successfully in the establishing a position of pre-eminence in the Kalabari state over Zill Braid and the Barboy House. For a long time Bonny and Kalabari fought a series of wars over the acquisition of market. Here many slaves were al so obtain which benefited the Europeans as a result of the activities of the warring groups as it was the moment that the French and the Germans activities, business was very active and increasing. The Europeans became ally and supply weapons to the skirmishes groups which later extort trading concessions from its ally. In later period the consulate of the British was transfer to Old Calabar from Fernando Po which the Spaniards refused to sell and became the centre of administration along the Bight of Biafra. But it should be noted that the British open it courts to adjucate on matters as a Resolution of slaving activities . # 24 . But, Nigeria was noted; the government was typically controlled by councils and composed or made up of leading merchants and headed by an amanyanabo who was the chief executive, an office that in time became hereditary. By the end of the eighteenth century, the area that was to become Nigeria was far from a unified country due to the slave trading activities that emanated wantonly wars and conflicts but some Resolutions were adopted to combat the activities that brought the slave trade manifestations 25 As a Resolution in later days, the British Naval forces were able to carry out its search. Treaties that forbade slaving along the Transatlantic Ocean were several slaves were freed on board the slave ship Dragon and Regul o that were piloting slaves for the Americas, some numbers of slaves were rescued and the chief of the coastal areas Nigeria-Cameroon were given some compensation annually not to continue the trade on slaves. Some of these chiefs were King Jaja of Opobo, King Manga William of Victoria and King Bell and Akwa of Douala. The Monroe Doctrine was brought forth that gave opportunity-law that the Negroes should come back to the continent of Africa. Some humanitarian like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp the British Lord Lugard who had been at this point or . 23 Ibid. here king Jaja of Opobo is also noted for his control of trading activities at Bonny Nigeria South Eastern Area. 24 By 1471 Portuguese ships had reconnoitered the west African coast South as far as the Niger Delta, although they did not know that it was the delta and in 1481 emissaries from the King of Portugal visited the court of the Oba of Benin? Portuguese soldiers aided Benin in its wars; ?. Gwatto, the port Benin, became the depot to handle 25 Ibid coastal Calabar in the 1900s. Checked perpetrators to this act which definitely came to an end . This trade on slaves actually and glaring brought disorder and chaos at the entire Gulf of Guinea. The abolition stops all the conflicts and ideological wars. The metropolis brought wealth as the people now leave in peaceful settlements which underwent remarkable political and social developments. The city states emerged more enlarged with increase in population density. The most important were; Warri, Sapele (Itsekiri and Urhobo), Bakana, (Kalabari), Bonny (Ibeno) and Creek town, Henshaw Town and Duke Town (Efik). The social structures became more intelligible and stability came to effect. Instead of the remarkable social group s like the Ekpe society to inflict harm or confusion t o get slaves now enforced peace and order-harmony safeguarded the interest and privileges of the nobility. The British abolition as a Resolution of the slavery and slave trade because it coursed a lot of havoc in the neighbourhood transformed the economic life of the Delta and Cross River coastlines communities 26 . To have kept it important position in the slave trade throughout the great expansion of the transatlantic trade after the slightly increased of slaves that came from the Nigerian coast around the Niger Delta and Eastern section than from Angola in the eighteenth century. In the Nineteenth century, ab out 30% of slaves came from Nigeria across to the New World, as estimated more than 3.5 million slaves were shipped from Nigeria to Americas. They were Ibos, Ibibios, Hausas, Yorubas, Ijaw, Ifik, Tiv and other ethnic groups. The Oyo and the Aro were responsible for most of the slaves export in the eighteenth century while in the Nineteenth century slaves exports was a result of the fall of the Oyo. The other major confederation in charge for slave exports was the Arfo, Igbo and Ibibio who at one time occupied the escarpment between the central Igbo districts and the Cross River 27 26 The court of Equity at Calaber was established and that of Victori a that was highly fostered by the British Naval vessels along the Gulf of Guinea. The British commanders Edward Nicolls declared that his intension was to make the coast areas a glory to humanity, the Peppers, Ivory and increasing numbers of slaves offered by the Oba in exchange for Coral beads; textile imports from India; European manufactured arti cles, including tools and weapons; manilas (brass and bronze bracelets that were used as currency and also were melted down for Objects d'art) Portugal also may have been the first European power to import cowries shells, whi ch were the currency of the far interior. 27 The U.S library of Congress-Nigeria the slave trade. . The Aro built a complete network of alliances and treaties with many of the Igbos clans. They served as arbiters in villages throughout Igboland and their famous Oracle at Arochukwu located in a thickly wooded gorge, was widely regarded as a court of appeal for several kind s of conflicts and wars. The Aro guaranteed the welfare of the traders and received slaves as payment of fines. The slaves automatically became the property of the Aro priest at liberty to sell. Another clan in the South Eastern Nigeria that due to conflicts from the Hausaland, they were greatly touched and their activities highly hampered. The Ijaw who occupied the tidal area in proximity to the Igbo, had also wrested a frugal living from the sale of dried fish and sea salt and later the slave trade. They were federated and had a general assembly in the presence of all males. In the heyday of the slave trade, the major Ijaw village grew into cities of 5000 to 10,000 occupant ruled by an allied to the Aro to combat conflicts and war and conquest in raids expedition in all sorts 28 . This was a means to protect their trading activities in the forest. They sold to European agent via entrepreneurial communities who received slaves from the Aro for sale to the Europeans agent s. Wealth acquisition was the basis of p olitical power and social status.The League of Nations made some effort s to suppress the slave trade following a number of reports referring to some areas in Enugu and Mamfe. In the Enugu area slaves were release from their masters following court decisions not leaving out those at the Mamfe area. Some slaves were freed with certificates issued in the 1920s. Some were registered in the 1919 to 1929 and it should be noted that some of this slaves were traced by officers and individuals in the 1920s to 1939 and after the war the United Nations placed more emphasis in the abolition of slave trade. Calabar, Bonny, Warri , Benue and Mamfe not leaving out Victoria (Limbe) in the 1950s experienced conventions in slavery and slave trade Nigeria-Cameroon. A lot of petitions like that of the Native High Court on March 36 th 1955 and 1957 banned slavery and slave trade in Nigeria which the federated law officers respected 29 28 Ibid. 29 Hillary Sama Suh, Some Historical Essentials : From the slave trade to Present and Past legacies and memories in Eastern Nigeri a and Cameroon from 1800 to 1914, Gul f of Guinea First Edition, December 2017, Maryland publishers Bamenda, Cameroon, December 2017, pp. 50-70. (The returnees mostly resided in the Lagos colony, with substantial populations in Abeokuta and Ibadan. Some also settl ed in Calabar, Port Harcourt and other cities in the Niger Delta. Though many were originally dedicated Anglophiles in Nigeria, they later adopted an indigenous and patriotic attitude on Nigeria affairs due to a rise in discrimination and were known as cultural nationalist. The ware some people called the Saros or Creols in Nigeria during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, were freed slaves who migrated to Nigeria in the beginning of the 1830s. They were known locally as Saros or Amaros migrants from Brazil and Cuba and chief or captain James PinsonLabul Davies and his wife, Princess Sara Forbes Bonetta were some of the most prominent Saros in Victorian Nigeria (Saro Nigeria-wikipedia.org consulted 11-09-2019 at 10:25 AM) . With the application of law, many of the Latin Americans returnees or Amaros started migrating to Africa after slavery was abolished. No more exception was Nigeria, she received returnees who came and settled in Nigeria for cultural, missionary and economic reasons which the greater majority were Yorubas, Efik, Igbos, Hausas and Nupe not leaving out the Krio population 30 Another Resolution on slave trade from religious conflict was the practically enforcement of conventions to all acts contrary to William Wilberforce which later on 26 th of April 1955 D.G Cudmore (sgd) in his annual report assessment influence some notables role in slavery and slave trade. Also on 3 rd July 1957 those who called others as slaves were requested to stop hence on the 26 th of July 1957 laws were made applicable to Nigeria and the Federated law officers to fight against the trade. This was also applied in Mamfe, under code decision 195/75 D.O Mamfe, 21 st September 1957. Furthermore, some Christians missionaries' who had been at the Gul f of Guinea cannot be left out in many Christians and Muslims communities. Some liberty villages have also been created by colonial administrators like Lord Lugard which still exist till date. Muslims laws has al so been reshaped which accompanied with missionaries activities, slaves escaped from their masters while some reclaimed their rights from their masters, Lamidos slaves became runaway to the mi ssionaries and administrations in 1955, 1957 to 1961. The routes of some laws on Nigeria criminal code 369,371,384 and 269 was grossly enforced hence helped reduced slavery and slave trade within the Gulf of Guinea, by 1961 was enforce in British Cameroons . 31 III. Sea Piracy in the Gulf of Gurnea in the Nineteenth and The Twenty First Centuries . # a) Natural Conflicts To it wider extension, the slave trade that came or sur-emerged as a result of provoked, willingness and natural conflicts which was the tendency at the time has gone too far or brought about the check at sea any illegal activities as did the British Navy. Sea piracy had been the order of the time since the 1960s. It has gone wider and International like slave trading activities. Piracy at the Gulf of Guinea greatly affects a number of countries in West Africa from Senegal to Angola. They are heavily armed criminal enterprises who manifest or employ violent methods and procedure to steal oil cargo which could be in money terms. It should be noted that it became exasperating in Roll which in 2012 the Bureau for International Maritime expound on matters of such act of piracy on Humanitarian Response, program under the sea and that the number of vessels up to date amounted to 966 sea farers attacked. The Risks control department group reiterated that pirate attacks in 2013 were at a steady level of close or above 100 attempted hijackings in the year which is second behind South Eastern Asia. Piracy has actually affected trading or commercial activities in the Gulf of Guinea significantly 32 # b) Sea Piracy Intervention This as noted was another level of sea intervention after the Naval Squadron that stretched from Senegal to Angola c overing over 6000 km of c oast line is the Gulf of Guinea. It has become a phenomenon in the region categorized as simple maritime robbery which has extended to as profile denote, serious and armed at directly acquired cargos containing refined petroleum as the region has increasingly been marred by illegal oil bunkering. This was due to the discovery of greatly quantity of hydrocarbon as stipulated by some governments with parliamentary option in Europe. The exclusion from the welfare, illegal maritime activity on the notion of traffic in the diverse form especially the form of petro-piracy, 33 32 Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea from wikipedia.htm#Yaounde-code-ofconduct. 33 The word piracy is widely used in the media and in official reports to generally medias refer to maritime crime in the region, but this is formerly incorrect as the United Nations convention on the Law of the sea defines, piracy as an act conducted on the high sea that is, beyond territorial waters. Similar criminal activities that takes place within territorial waters are not defined as acts of piracy just as slaves were traffic in the early ages and in the modern periods of human organs and other related actions pave away from the abolitionist personalities and countries. In 2010, 45 and by 2011, 64 cases was received by the United Nations International Maritime Organization. The act interrupted with the legitimate trading interest within the Gulf of Guinea like Benin, Togo, Côte D'ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Cong o which trading activities within the ports such as Cotonou was rep orted in 2012 to have dropped by 70 % which lost has been estimated to be about $2 billion. As time went by Navies and law enforcement agencies were sent to remedy the situations, after haven taken thorough analysis of different unprecedented attacks. In 2014 the violence modus operandi catalyst and destroy "business model" adopted by them in which violence and intimidation plays a major role. Due to the agencies established, in 2016 and 2018 passing through 2017 witnessed a reduction from 1,921 to 1,726 sea farers because they were failed attacks and boarding occurrences. The amount of 21 episodes of kidnapping gave way to 100 seafarers taking hostages. According to statistics given, in total there were 97 piracy and robbery incidents involving weapons, 13 of those with guns and 2 with heavy machine guns. However as noted, the total estimated cost in the area due to stolen good s, contracted maritime security, insurance has been estimated to be totaling $818.1 million. More so, because of the continue emancipation of the entire Gulf of Guinea, during the mandate of Kofi Ata Annan, at the International Peacekeeping Trainings Centre in Ghana and the International Maritime Organization (IMB) have engaged by taking measures influencing African governments to encourage the renewal or ratification of International Conventions to strengthened legal requirements implementation in view of combating the maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea. As a consequence or impact of the slave trade abolition, the Gulf of Guinea piracy has got some officials statistics, as seen below, as regard s to some countries. From the above table it is glaringly clear that, Nigeria emerged has got the highest number of sea piracy at the Gulf of Guinea, followed by Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Togo and Gambia as the least that have got piracy attacks. Al so, from the above we could also deduced that Nigeria most has experienced all these due to the fact that it has the longest seashores after which operation usually takes place from 2009 to 2018. Likewise, Gambia has experience a minimal piracy as she and Togo, Benin has the least expected, shores and less business activities. One could also draw the perception that developmental factors brings about piracy since the pirates search more areas that are well developed or under-going the process of Development as seen in the table above. These areas needed tide security as such it must be guaranteed by all means because it is the era for Development IV. Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea: From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia # Volume XX Issue II Version I # a) Resolutions on both activities As resolution, other measures were now taken by the United Nations International Maritime Organization in the Gulf of Guinea and the compliance of some nations or country to ratify conventions and imposed maritime laws that has help bolstered the quitting of the practices and related activities. But noticing is the fact that Nigeria developmental obligations and practices still experience or witness sea piracy in their water shores and followed by close Tog o. Others like Gambia never g ot or registers one, meaning none surfaced. Cameroon had just 03 in 2009, 2010 and 2018 attempted pirate attacks while Ghana had 01. This has been so because of Regional Responses, through operation prosperity, Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre Gulf of Guinea, Yaoundé code of c onduct. On # International Responses, the United Nations Organization, International Maritime Organization, the European Union Interpol 35 But, it should be noted that due to the fact that, the problem is still wide spread and the government remains unable to restrict corrupt practices couple with the major relevant controversy that has involved the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria, the two countries have been at logger head or log horns about the sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula which has caused a lack of cooperation between the governments resulting to at least some measures to counter corruption. Operation prosperity was launched by Nigeria and Benin in 2011 to guarantee a secured maritime environment or vicinity, which was to last for six months. This profited Benin who trained with Nigeria for this operation in addition to technical collaboration with the presence of continues presence of military forces in the maritime domain. The maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre Gul f of Guinea (MTISC-GOG) lack involvement of regional states in maritime security which the report from RDDC in 2016 changed its name to maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gul f of Guinea which worked as a voluntary reporting system that encouraged vessels to report their position and course of direction as well as any suspect activity they might encounter . 36 According to the Yaoundé code of conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in West and Central Africa adopted in June 2013 hence in view of promoting maritime cooperation and information sharing and coordination. In particular signatory state committed to arresting, investigating and prosecuting persons who have committed piracy or are reasoning suspected of committing piracy, rescuing ships, persons and property subject to piracy, designating a national focal point to facilitate coordinated, effective and timely information flow: cooperating on the devel opment and promotion of training and educational programs for the management of the marine environment. But it should be aware that the Yaoundé code of c onduct is not binding document and as such does not impose any obligation on signatory state, but this could only be effective in implementation if necessarily dependent on the good will, wealth and capacity of such states. Internationally, the UN has requested ships to fly their flag s while on . 35 Research has proven and agree that the presence of a series of maritime security has long been limited at the Gulf of Guinea hence a major problem; political commitment need to be enforced to tackle the issue of piracy in the region. There is also poor general maritime knowledge and sea blindness. Youth unemployment and under spread poverty which keeps triggering and easily recruitment into criminal organization into the illicit activities of corruption, legistive profile of piracy in the Region which is actually lacking at the Gulf of Guinea 36 Ibid. sea. Thi s is due to concerted action on bilateral or regional maritime patrol which calls upon states to cooperate with shipping industry, insurance industry as appropriate advice and guidance within context of the Gulf of Guinea. As Resolution in 2012, Maritime security strategies have been established with legal framework for the prevention and repression of the activity that has gone wide like the slave trade 37 The (IMO) has wantonly supported the development of the Maritime Sector which coasted as strategy of several elements. Implementation of IMO conventions and build the necessary legislative infrastructure to criminalize piracy hence facilitating channels of communications among 1MO member states. The European Union has been one of the major fighters of sea piracy after the slave trade and some related activities of the slavery and slave trade. This IMO is helping government to put robust multiagency institutions, hence to support the development of prosperous economic and strengthening the existence cooperation structures. In addition, the European Union (EU) has encouraged inclusive growth, long term security and stability while generating benefits or profits from wealth and job creation for all people. While the Interpol has also launched a number of initiative to improve the capabilities of the local police forces to tackle piracy effectively. This has revolved around three main aspects. Improving on the evidence collection capabilities of the local police forces, facilitating a better cooperation between actors of the different countries involved. Making sure those hostages is debriefed and inter viewed and all relevant information i s gathered . 38 V. # Conclusion . To Conclude, Slave trade activities and Sea Piracy at the Gulf of Guinea during and after the transatlantic slave Trade era, Sea Piracy in the Gulf of Gurnee in the Nineteenth and the Twenty first Centuries has been highly discussed. The are many aspects that prove that Sea piracy is a continuative sea activity like that of the Bight of Biafra, Benin, Cameroon, Fernando Po and others as far as slaving process was concerned. The Atlantic Slave Trade took place between Africa, the Americas and Europe what historians called The Triangular Trade. This trade came as a result of development in some part of the World which Sea piracy came as a result of development of the west coast of Africa and other section across other water masses. Also, ships were attacked at sea by other slavers to acquire slaves as well as the British Naval Squadron 37 Those in crime of piracy at sea deserve punishment and conviction in this regard. 38 Osinowo Adeniyi, Combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, Washington D.C, Africa center for strategic studies retrieved on 09 May 2015 and the « Pirate take new territory West Africa Gulf of Guinea, the Christian science monitor Jan. 15, 2010. was in charge of putting an end to all form of slave exportations and as well as the Anti-Sea piracy known today as Sea Mariners from various countries team up in quenching the piracies at sea and close sea vicinities. 1YearBeninCameroonGambiaGhanaNigeriaTogo200912-322-2010-4--13-201118--27-201221-21762013--211532014-1-48-2015-1-29-20161--31812017---120-201856-930-Source: Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea-Wikipediahtm.Yaounde-code-of-conduct. . Another table ofattempted attacks illustrates activities at the Gulf onpiracy. 2YearBeninCameroonGambiaGhanaNigeriaTogo200901--6220101--620112---362012----1092013----332014----322015----5-2016----9-2017----13-2018-1-1181Source: Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea-wikipedia.htm,YaoundeAs far as the attempted attacks were recorded? August 3, 2011: Two Panamanian-flagged tankersfrom the above table Gambia register zero attacks,were attacked off Benin's coast but the ships wereGhana one, Benin two in 2011, Cameroon three innot taken in the previous week, an Italian diesel2009,2010, and 2018. Nigeria witnessed attemptedtanker and a Swedish tanker were also attacked offattacks throughout from 2009 to 2018 while TogoBeninexperienced attacks 20 times between 2009 to 2018.? August 19, 2012: A British-owned oil tanker wasc) Recorded Attacks in the Gulf of Guineahijacked in the Port of Togo. Authorities suggest that the same group hijacked a Greek-owned oil tanker? January 4, 2009: Pirates hijacked the French shipin this region.Bourbon Leda with five Nigerians, two Ghanaians, one Cameroonian and one Indonesian on board. It? August 28, 2012: A Greek-owned oil tanker was hijacked in the Port of Togo on Tuesday. Authoritieswas freed January 7.suggest that the pirates will siphon off the gas oil? January 21: Gunmen attack the diesel tanker MTfrom these types of vessel hijackings in this region.Meredith and kidnap a Romanian, who was released a day later.? September 4, 2012: A Singaporean-flagged oil tanker, the MT Abu Dhabi Star, was hijacked off the? April 21: Rebels attacked the Turki sh shipcoast of Lagos, Nigeria. They broke glass windowsIlenaMercan and kidnapped two crewmen.to access a bridge into the 183m (600-ft) long? November 24: Pirates hijacked the Liberian-flaggedvessel . The pirates fled as soon as they realized aCancale Star off Benin and killed a Ukrainian officerNigerian naval ship was approaching. It isbefore robbing the ship.suspected that although the pirates fled, they may? December 1: The Ghanaian Navy intercepted thehave attempted to siphon off the gas from the ship.hijacked oil tanker African Prince a week after it had? October 15, 2012: A Luxembourgish-flagged anchorbeen taken. The pirates escaped; they had killed thehandling vessel named AHT Bourbon Liberty 249,ship's chef.was hijacked while off the coast of Nigeria.? March 13, 2010: A Chinese fishing vessel was? December 23, 2012: an Italian-registered ship washijacked off the Bakassi Peninsula, Cameroon.hijacked by seven Nigerian pirates, off the coast ofSeven fishermen were abducted. The kidnappersthe state of Bayelsa. Pirates successively releaseddemanded a ransom and later released the vesselthe ship with most of the crew, but took threeand its passengers on March 18.Italians and a Ukrainian as hostages, who were? September 23: Three Frenchmen were kidnappedfreed a couple of weeks later.from a vessel belonging to the company Bourbonoff the Nigerian c oast. Olatunji Oji, The slave ship Manuelita and the story of a Yoruba community, 1833-1834, Department of History, Brock University, St. Catherine, Canada, 03 march 2017, PP. 124-125. 3 Ibidd, p. 124 also Peter F. Cohen, Oriisha Journeys: The Role of Travel in the Birth of Yoruba-Atlantic Religions In Arch. De soc. des Rel. Janvier-Mars, 2002, P. 19..4 The wars went on and on, each fighting for hegemony but creating captives, slaves for the transatlantic slave trade. Subsequently, Ijebu forces struggle and series control over the destructive Ife town in 1833, Twi ce between 1680 and 1700 the Oyo army invaded Allada (Ardra) the capital of the Aja family of states? (I.A Akindjogdin, Dahomey and Yoruba in the Nineteeenth century, In A Thouasand Years of West African History?, pp. 312-316) 9 K B C. Onwubiko, History of West Africa, 1800-Present Day Book. Two, Africana-FEP Publishers limited, 1973, PP. 77-81 10 Ibid, pp 75, 76 and 777 11 Ibid, 76 and Jo Sagay, D A Wilson, Africa : A modern History (1800-1975) Evans Brothers limited, Nigeria, 1978, PP. 102-110. Peter F. Cohen, "Orisha Journeys: The Role of Travel in the Birth of Yoruba-Atlantic Religions," In Archeologie de Science Soci ale de Religion, Columbia University, New York, EHESS, Paris, Janvier-Mars 2002, pp, 17-18 31 Hillary Sama Suh, "The suppression of slavery and slave trade i n British Cameroons 1916-1961," In Nka lumiereNumero 19, 1 st semester 2018,Dschang,, University of Dschang, 2018, pp, 290-293. (Under UNSUC of 1958. Insecurity is still at a limelight thus methods should be adopted to make sure citizens right and devepment be encourage to its fullest. * The slave ship Manuelita and the story of a Yoruba community OlatunjiOji 03 march 2017 St. Catherine, Canada Department of History, Broc k University * Oriisha Journeys: The Role of Travel in the Birth of Yoruba-Atlantic Religions PeterFCohen In Arch. De soc. des Rel . Janvier-Mars 2002 * History of West Africa, 1800-Present Day Book. Two, Africana-FEP Publishers limited K B COnwubiko 1973 * J OSagay D AWilson Africa: A Modern History 1978 Evans Brothers limited * From the slave trade to Present and Past legacies and memories in Eastern Nigeria and Cameroon from 1800 to 1914, Gulf of Guinea First Edition H SSama SomeHi Essentials December 2017. December 2017 I. Maryland publishers Bamenda, Cameroon * From the slave trade to Present and Past legacies and memories in Eastern Nigeria and Cameroon from 1800 to 1914, Gulf of Guinea Second Edition H SSama SomeHi Essentials Maryland publishers Bamenda, Cameroon December 2018. December 2018 II * Orisha Journeys: The Role of Travel in the Birth of Yoruba-Atlantic Religions CohenPeter F Archeologie de science sociale de Religion New York, EHESS, Paris, Janvier-Mars 2002 Columbia University * The suppression of slavery and slave trade in British Cameroons 1916-1961 HSama In Nka Lumiere Numero 19 2018. 1958 University of Dschang * Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea-Wikipediahtm.Yaoundecode-of-conduct * From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia * Sustainable Development Goals Guterres advocates Greener Future for all AbujaUn House United to Reform * Remembering victims of slavery, Dismantling Modern Trends ChukwudiNweji Nigeria * The National Information Office of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria OluseyiSoremekun * Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships. Annual Reports January 2009 to April 2019 International Maritime Bureau