Navy arrests stowaways ‘hiding in rudder compartment’ of Europe-bound ship

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy ship (NNS) Beecroft have arrested three stowaways trying to illegally migrate from the country on board a tanker vessel (FRONT Altiers) en route to Europe. 

Kolawole Oguntuga, the commander of the NNS Beecroft, said the stowaways were arrested on Wednesday by a patrol team acting on credible intelligence at the Lagos anchorage.

He said the three men were concealed in the rudder compartment of the vessel after they were helped aboard by “fishermen for a fee of N20,000 and N5,000, respectively”.

The stowaways are 29-year-old Ebuka Daniel, from Enugu state; Samuel Abraham, 32, from Edo and 32-year-old Christian Happy, from Delta state.

Oguntuga added that the discovery and apprehension of the men prevented “them from exposure to life-threatening situations during the long voyage”.

“The swift and commendable efforts of the patrol team ensured the timely intervention, avoiding potential security threats associated with unauthorized access,” the statement reads.

The NNS Beecroft commander said the stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) under established protocol.

He added that the navy remains committed to holistic maritime security for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.