Nigerian Navy hands over three Ghanaian stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel in Lagos to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further processing.
The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS BEECROFT has handed over three suspected Ghanaian stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the handover formed part of ongoing collaboration among security agencies to curb illegal migration and strengthen maritime safety.
He spoke during the handover ceremony held at the NNS BEECROFT parade ground in Apapa, Lagos State.
Adams-Aliu explained that the suspects were discovered concealed in the rudder compartment of the merchant vessel MT ANATOLIA while the ship was berthed at Dangote Terminal.
According to him, the stowaways were safely evacuated and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
He identified the suspects as Armah Peter, 26; Amisah Daniel, 22; and Amoh Michael, 25, all Ghanaian nationals.
The commodore said investigations showed that the trio had earlier travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they lived and engaged in fishing activities for about one year.
He added that they later used a canoe to gain access to the rudder compartment of the vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe.
“After several hours at sea, believing they had arrived at their intended destination, they alerted the vessel’s crew, leading to their detection and subsequent rescue,” he said.
Adams-Aliu noted that the Nigeria Immigration Service would handle further procedures and transfer the suspects to the Ghanaian Embassy after due judicial processes.
He urged parents, guardians and community leaders across West Africa to discourage youths from attempting illegal sea voyages, describing such actions as dangerous.
The commander reaffirmed that NNS BEECROFT would continue to support the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime interests and enhance national security.
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