Navy apprehends 4 stowaways onboard Dubai-bound ship in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECROFT has arrested four stowaways onboard container vessel TEME EXPRESS which was heading to Dubai.

Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, who disclosed this said the stowaways were arrested on Monday by the NNS BEECROFT patrol team while on routine patrol.

He said the tactical teams were dispatched to the vessel at Lagos Anchorage, sequel to receiving information from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment.

“Upon arrival, the teams noticed movements inside the rudder compartment.

“Consequently, the teams boarded the ship located and extracted the 4 stowaways. The stowaways were found with a bag filled with snacks and a another polybag containing sachet water,” Commodore Oguntuga was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Base Information Officer, Sub iLieutenant Happiness Collins.

He identified the stowaways as: Ebi Agrive 22 years old from Bayelsa state;
Lucky Amusu 23 years from Lagos state; Goodness Edu 28 years from Akwa Ibom and Micheal Daniel 18 years from Ondo state.

The Commander stated that apart from the stowaways putting themselves in life threatening situations during the long voyage at sea especially as they remain in a confined space for extended duration, they also present myriad of security threats to the crew with dire consequences on the image of the nation.

“This arrest and handover therefore is another testament of the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment and resolve under the Leadership of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, towards holistic maritime security for economic prosperity of Nigeria, ” he said.

The Commander said the individuals have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols.