The unexpected consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on maritime crime: Evidence from Indonesia and Nigeria

Abstract

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating. Job losses, negative growth rates, and increased poverty have all followed rising infection rates. The economic costs have been especially challenging for many piracy-prone countries. The international monetary fund anticipates sizable unemployment increases in many Indo-Pacific countries. Deeper and more durable economic damage may materialize in some West African countries. Often, negative economic shocks produce surges in crime, both on land and at sea. The present study evaluates the effects of COVID-19 on maritime pirate attacks in two countries, Nigeria, located in the Gulf of Guinea, and Indonesia, located in the Indo-Pacific. We employ monthly and quarterly data on government measures to prevent infection, sea-piracy incidents, and economic conditions to explore whether the subsequent economic fallout produced more maritime crime. We do not find clear evidence of this relationship in Indonesia. However, COVID-19-induced stringency measure does appear to have increased sea-piracy incidents in Nigeria.

COVID-19, new challenges to human safety: a global review

“…However, the researchers found no change in organized crime ( 15 ). Where there is evidence that nighttime crime rises, and strict measures in the wake of the pandemic may also have led to an increase in piracy incidents in Nigeria ( 69 , 90 ). In Norway, restrictions and bans on alcohol consumption reduced crime during the pandemic, but when bars were told not to sell alcohol after midnight, there appeared to be an unexpected increase in crime ( 37 ).…”

“…While overall global crime declined during the pandemic ( 12 ), there is additional evidence that this finding is not universal. For example, there was a significant increase in gun crime in the United States ( 13 ), signs of an increase in piracy in Nigeria ( 90 ), and a sharp upward trend in the overall frequency of arrests for illicit drug trafficking in Bangladesh ( 62 ). It is also important to note that inequality and discrimination are pervasive social problems around the world.…”

Food and cigarettes expenses during COVID-19 pandemic on diet quality in Jakarta and surroundings

“…They are active workers, with 48% of them considered financially securedby means of those working as permanent employers, able to work from home, and do not have any financial issues due to COVID-19. However, Indonesia's Statistics Service Bureau recorded a decreasing workforce participation rate of 0,15%, increasing unemployment by 60.000 people and poverty by 1,1 million people due to this health pandemic (Gold et al, 2023).…”