Navy Arrests 8 Stowaways, Rescues Trafficking Victims

Nigerian Navy has said its men arrested eight stowaways and rescued two drowning fishermen and eight victims of human trafficking off Nigerian Waters.

The director of Information Naval Headquarters, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, said the rescued victims comprised eight female victims of human trafficking, eight male stowaways and two drowning fishermen.
According to the statement, they were rescued between July 9 and 13, 2024, by teams of Nigerian Navy units across the nation’s maritime domain. A sea robbery attempt was foiled within the period.

He explained that the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat with eight females aged 18-23 on July 9, 2024, en route to the Benin Republic.

Adams-Aliu said following interrogation, it was revealed that a yet-to-be-identified agent was trafficking the girls.

He said the victims were later handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.

Furthermore, on July 10, 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel of Forward Operating Base IBAKA, Akwa Ibom State, intercepted suspected sea robbers attempting to rob a supply vessel along the Uyenghe River in Mbo local government.

He said the robbers opened fire on their troops, prompting them to respond with heavy gunfire.
The director said the robbers later retreated into the creeks in futility.

Meanwhile, on July 12, 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel from Forward Operating Base LEKKI rescued two drowning fishermen around Lekki Anchorage Area, about 10 nautical miles from Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki local government area of Lagos State.

He said troops’ findings later revealed that the fishermen were fishing within the area when their boat capsized due to the rough sea state.

The statement noted further, that troops of the Nigerian Navy SHIP BEECROFT patrol team on 13 July 2024 arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV NORTHERNLIGHT while underway along Lagos Channel.