Less than two weeks after arresting 11 stowaways onboard a Ghana-bound Merchant Vessel, the Nigeria Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team, on Monday, announced the arrest of another eight suspected stowaways onboard an Abidjan-bound container vessel, MV NATAL.
The stowaways are; 22-year-old Jerry Benjamin, 19-year-old Ben Tony, 16-year-old Victory Ekemele, and 17-year-old Ike Destiny, all from Delta State.
Others are; 25-year-old Ebuka Solomon, 26-year-old Christian Eze, both from Enugu state, 25-year-old James Vincent from Edo state, and 27-year-old David Abamiyo from Ondo state.
In a press statement by the base information officer, Sub Lieutenant Hapinness Collins, the stowaways were intercepted 0840 hours, on Friday, 3rd November 2023 by the patrol team.
According to the Commander NNS Beecroft, and Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the stowaways who boarded the vessel at Lagos Anchorage hid themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessel.
The statement read, “The brave efforts and timely intervention of the patrol team prevented the individuals from being exposed to life-threatening situation in such a confined compartment for the long voyage as well as other security threats associated with unauthorized access to such facilities.”
The statement, however, stated that the Navy handed over the suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
“In a seamless transition, the stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.
“Pertinently, the remarkable arrest and handover of the individuals is a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment in conducting its constitutional role and it also underscores the dedication of the Nigerian Navy under the esteemed leadership of the chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EmmanueI Ogalla, towards ensuring the nation’s maritime environment is conducive for legitimate business to thrive for the economic prosperity of our nation.”
