Lagos Coastal Waters See Surge In Stowaway Attempts, Experts Urge Review Of Offences Act

Maritime stakeholders have expressed growing concern about a rising wave of stowaway attempts across Nigeria’s coastal waters, particularly in Lagos, as naval authorities continue to intercept individuals using increasingly sophisticated methods to board vessels.

Since the beginning of 2026, the Nigerian Navy has arrested at least eight stowaways in separate operations along the Lagos maritime corridor, underscoring what experts describe as an evolving security challenge in the country’s shipping environment.

The arrests were confirmed through a series of naval briefings and press statements, including updates from the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who detailed multiple interceptions carried out during routine patrols and security checks.

Recorded incidents between March and April 2026 include the interception of two stowaways off the Lagos coast during routine surveillance operations, the arrest of three Ghanaian nationals aboard a Europe-bound vessel, and the apprehension of three additional individuals near the Lagos Fairway Buoy while attempting to illegally travel abroad aboard the MSC Stella.

Naval authorities said the suspects were discovered during security inspections and subsequently handed over to relevant agencies for further investigation, while reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters.

Commodore Adams-Aliu warned that stowaways not only violate international maritime regulations but also pose serious safety and security risks to vessels and crew operating in Nigerian waters.

Industry stakeholders, however, say the trend is becoming more complex, with reports indicating that stowaways are increasingly exploiting unconventional access points, including vessel rudder compartments and external hull structures, rather than boarding ships directly.

Former president of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA), Engr. Matthew Alalade noted that improved onboard security has pushed perpetrators to adopt more covert methods.

According to him, “You hardly find stowaways inside the vessel anymore because onboard security is tight.

What we are seeing now is people coming through small boats and hanging on the rudder.”

He recommended that shipping operators strengthen external inspection procedures, including the use of speedboats to inspect the undersides of vessels before departure, particularly for lightly loaded ships.

Alalade also stressed that international maritime practice prohibits harming stowaways, stating that any individual found on board must be safely handed over to authorities at the next port of call for proper handling and repatriation.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Boma Alabi, has raised concerns about the operational and financial burden stowaways place on shipping companies, including delays, fines, diversion costs, and reputational risks.

She called for improved coordination among port security agencies and a clearer framework for responsibility to ensure shipping operators are not unfairly held liable for security lapses beyond their control.

As incidents persist, stakeholders are now calling for a comprehensive review of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, arguing that certain provisions may no longer adequately address emerging stowaway tactics and modern maritime security realities.