Navy decries menace of stowaways, arrests 75 in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has expressed concern over the growing menace of stowaways in Lagos waters.

The Navy in a statement by the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams- Aliu and made available to Maritime Today Online on Wednesday said a total of 75 stowaways were arrested on board different merchants ships in Lagos waters from August 2023 to April 2024.

Citing the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Adams Aliu said the Navy deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to vector Quick Response Teams (QRT) to all parts of Nigeria’s territorial waters as part of efforts to address the issue.

He said, “During the operations, the QRT carefully extracted the stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessels.”

Giving details of stowaways extracted by the Navy within the review period, the Navy spokesman said five stowaways were arrested on board MSC MARTHA at Lagos Channel in August 2023 while eight were arrested on CHARMINAR PANAMA at Lagos Fairway Buoy in September 2023.

In October 2023, 11 were arrested in GWANGZHOU HIGHWAY PANAMA at Lagos Channel; eight on
NATAL ship at Lagos Fairway Buoy in November 2023; and in December 2023 four were arrested in CONTAINER VESSEL TEME at Lagos Channel, two in GRANDE GUINEA at Lagos Fairway Buoy and 14 in MT UOG CONSTANTINE at Lagos Channel.

In January 2024, three were arrested in
FRONT ALTIERS at Lagos Fairway Buoy; four in MT CHIP at Lagos Channel in February; while in March, three were arrested in MT ADVANTAGE LOVE at
Lagos Channel and nine in MT LYSIAS VALLETTA at Lagos Fairway Buoy.

In April 2024, four were arrested in MT PRINCESS ERIN at Lagos Channel.

The Navy spokesman said all apprehended stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.

He stressed that migration as a stowaway is not only illegal but also poses dangerous and security threat to shipowners.

He also cautioned the public on the dangers of attempting to travel as a stowaway.

“These include severe legal consequences and significant health risks such as negative effects of harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries and even death. Hence, the NN uses this opportunity to discourage Nigerian youths from embarking on such misadventures, ” he said.