This study sets out to examine the relationship between the youths and violence in the region with particular reference to maritime dimension of the violence. The study adopts the Frustration-Aggression and Basic Human Needs theories of conflict and reveals that the incessant cases of maritime crime is the result of long time feeling of neglect and marginalisation in the Niger Delta. The youths felt the region has been oppressed, marginalised and neglected for a long time. This feeling is accentuated by the activities of the Multinational oil companies that degraded the environment and destroyed their sources of livelihood. The youths thus, took to the sea and engaged in sea piracy and robbery as a livelihood strategy. The study reveals that the violent activities of the militant youths in the region have negatively impacted the security of the maritime domain of the region and beyond. Adopting a cross-sectional design, it empirically reveals that violence at sea have led to death of passengers, crew members and have caused a reduction in travelling by the waterways and loss of revenue to the fishing industry. Its impact is also felt by neighbouring countries such as Benin Republic. It is recommended that maritime domain awareness campaign be carried out in coastal communities of the region, information sharing centres should be established and sophisticated equipment to combat sea pirates should be provided for the Nigerian Navy.

Keywords: Youth Violence, Niger Delta, Sea Piracy, Maritime Domain, MEND