19th October, 2023
By Oladapo Udom
Eleven Nigerian stowaways fleeing the country individuals hidden in concealed area of a ship the GWANGZHOU Highway Panama vessel.have been stopped by operatives of Nigerian patrol ship, NNS BEECROFT.
The vessel was on the way to Ghana when it was intercepted, Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, said in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Base Information Officer, Sub-Lt. Happiness Collins who signed the statement quoted Oguntuga as saying by the stowaways were discovered in concealed areas of the stern gate of the ship on Oct. 17.
“Accordingly, Western Regional Control Centre (WRCC) is immediately informed and prompted the vessel to halt within Lagos anchorage,” the statement said.
It added that four stowaways were initially apprehended from the stern of the vessel but upon interrogation, they revealed the presence of additional seven stowaways inside the ship.
“Following a comprehensive search, these stowaways were uncovered within the ship, bringing the total to 11 stowaways who were promptly disembarked from the vessel and taken into custody,” it said.
The statement said that the apprehended persons included a 19-year-old man, name withheld from Ondo, 30-year-old man from Delta and another 30-year-old man from Adamawa states.
Others are 22-year-old man from Ondo, 37-year-old man from Bayelsa, 27, 28 and 30-year-old men from Delta, 23-year-old man from Ondo and a 19-year-old man from Zamfara state.
“The commander said that they had been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols.
“Apart from the stowaways putting themselves in life threatening situations during the long voyage at sea, they also present myriad of safety and security challenges.
“Accordingly, this arrest and handover by the patrol team is an essential reminder of the critical role the Nigerian Navy plays in ensuring maritime security,” the statement said.
It added that the Nigerian Navy under the watch of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, would continue to maintain the security of the country’s maritime domain.
(NAN)