Navy rescues 8 victims of human trafficking, foils robbery attempt

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy said its operatives rescued eight female victims of human trafficking, stopped two fishermen from drowning while they also apprehended eight male stowaways in operations across the country in the past one week.

The operatives also foiled an attempted robbery on the sea within the same period, Director of Information, Navy, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the statement the successes were recorded by the Navy units across the nation’s maritime domain in different operations.

Giving a breakdown of the operations, Adams-Aliu in the statement said on Saturday, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base Badagry, intercepted a wooden passenger boat with eight females aged between 18 to 23 years en-route the Benin Republic.

He said it became obvious that they were being trafficked by a yet- to-be identified agent upon interrogation.

Adams-Aliu said the victims were handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate was ongoing.

He said the personnel of Forward Operating Base IBAKA in Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday intercepted suspected sea robbers attempting to rob a supply vessel along Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government Area.

According to him, the robbers opened fire on the Naval troops troops, prompting them to respond with heavy gunfire.

“The robbers later retreated into the creeks and the robbery attempt was effectively foiled.

“Also, on July 12, the 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.

“Findings revealed that the fishermen were fishing within the area when their boat capsised due to the rough sea state,” he said.

The Navy spokesman said the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT patrol team arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV NORTHERNLIGHT while underway along Lagos Channel on Saturday.

He said the incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.

According to him, five suspects admitted that they attempted to board the vessel to enable them to travel abroad upon interrogation.

“The suspects and speedboats have been handed over to Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port and Marine Command for further investigation.

“Notably, NNS BEECROFT has so far arrested 33 stowaways between January and July.

“It is important to remind all operators and stakeholders within the nation’s maritime domain that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy is poised to keep Nigerian waters safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.

“Consequently, nefarious elements are advised to desist from perpetuating any form of illegalities within Nigeria’s territorial waters,” he added. (NAN)