On February 26, 2026, a deeply concerning and highly unusual incident unfolded just 4 kilometres off the coast of Senya Beraku in Ghana’s Central Region. Armed attackers ambushed a fishing ground, firing warning shots and robbing approximately 50 artisanal fishermen of their outboard motors, radios, and personal effects.
While operations are currently underway to apprehend the suspects, this classic case of armed robbery at sea opens a new, perplexing chapter regarding insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
Here is why this incident should have maritime security professionals and regional authorities on high alert:
🚨 An Anomalous Target: It is incredibly rare for pirates or armed robbers at sea to target artisanal fishermen. The risk-benefit profile simply doesn’t align with traditional piracy.
🚨 The Logistical Puzzle: It is highly unlikely that these attackers originated locally from Ghana, as attempting to fence stolen outboard motors and generators ashore would immediately flag local monitoring networks. Conversely, it is not economically viable for criminals to sail from distant shores just to steal relatively low-value gear from local fishermen.
🚨 The Shadow of Maritime Terrorism: If traditional piracy and local theft don’t fit the profile, what does? Coming on the back of recent attacks on Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso, we cannot rule out the possibility of maritime terrorism. Are extremist elements testing new waters, gathering supplies, or attempting to disrupt local economies? Understanding the true motives behind this attack is critical to unravelling this new development.
A Wake-Up Call for Maritime Security
This brazen attack just off our shores must serve as an immediate wake-up call for Ghanaian authorities. Efforts to adequately equip the Ghana Navy and other maritime security agencies cannot be put on the back burner.
Crucial plans to install state-of-the-art coastal surveillance equipment and procure modern, high-endurance offshore patrol vessels appear to have slowed or stalled entirely. It is time to wake up and expedite these initiatives.
As neighbouring nations continue to harden their maritime and border security, we must remember a fundamental rule of threat dynamics: Crime flows in the direction of least resistance. We cannot afford to let our coastal waters become that path of least resistance.
What are your thoughts on this shifting dynamic in the Gulf of Guinea? Could this be an isolated incident or the beginning of a new maritime security trend? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Source: Vice Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu (Rtd)
