The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways intercepted aboard a merchant vessel, MV MAERSK CALABAR to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The suspects—Isaiah Oyetayo, 30; Goddey Ajinde Samson, 26; and Popoola Felix, 28—were handed over to the NIS on Wednesday by the Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Capt. Olanrewaju Olubunmi Oginni, who represented the Commander, Commodore Aiwuyor Augustine Adams-Aliu.
According to the Navy, the suspects were arrested on Monday, September 14, while the vessel was underway around the Lagos Fairway Buoy.
Adams- Aliu said the NNS BEECROFT Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted the vessel and safely extracted the suspects from its propeller compartment following a tip-off from the Western Regional Control Centre
They were subsequently taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
He said preliminary findings showed that the suspects had boarded the MV MAERSK CALABAR while the vessel was at Apapa Port on September 14. They reportedly used a canoe to gain access to the vessel before concealing themselves in the propeller compartment.
Their presence was discovered after the vessel got underway, prompting the intervention of the naval team.
The Navy said the incident underscored the dangers associated with unauthorised access to seagoing vessels, noting that people who hide aboard ships in an attempt to embark on illegal migration could be exposed to life-threatening conditions.
It added that such acts could also pose safety and security risks to vessels, crew members and maritime operations.
The Navy therefore urged parents, guardians and relevant authorities to discourage youths from engaging in dangerous attempts to travel illegally by sea and to sensitise them on the potential consequences.
According to the Navy, the risks associated with such acts extend beyond individual safety and could have wider implications for maritime security across the West African sub-region.
The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, also reiterated the commitment of the command to actualising the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations.
He said the command would continue to support efforts aimed at defending national sovereignty and maintaining internal stability.
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