Nigeria and its West African neighbour, Benin, are to begin joint¹ naval² patrols in an effort to combat the threat of pirates.

尼日利亚与其西非邻国贝宁将进行联合海军巡逻以对抗海盗威胁。

The Gulf³ of Guinea has this year seen a marked increase in the number of attacks in its waters.

Last month, a group of London-based insurers rated part of its coast in the same high-risk category as Somalia.

The International Maritime⁴ Bureau says there have so far been 19 attacks off Benin's coast this year.

According to the bureau, which monitors such attacks, none were recorded off the same coast in 2010.

Emmanual Ogbor, head of Nigeria's western naval command, says that the reason for the increase is clear.

He says tough action from his ships has forced the pirates into areas where they can operate freely.

The joint patrols will initially⁵ last for six months and involve six Nigerian ships and helicopters with the Beninois initially contributing two vessels⁶.

Although the joint operation is being dressed up an equal partnership⁷, this is all about Nigeria helping⁸ out its neighbour to the west.

A spokesman from Benin's navy said the attacks had scared ships away and deeply affected⁹ the country's economy.