Navy hands over arrested stowaways to Immigration

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways arrested aboard a merchant vessel, MV MAERSK CALABAR, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation and necessary action.

The handover, which took place at the naval base was part of continued collaboration among security agencies to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime safety and security.

The suspects were arrested on Monday, September 14, while MV MAERSK CALABAR was underway around the Lagos Fairway Buoy.

According to the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the arrest followed a tip-off received from the Western Regional Control Centre, which prompted the deployment of the NNS BEECROFT Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay.

The naval team intercepted the vessel and successfully extracted the three suspects from the vessel’s propeller compartment.

They were subsequently taken to NNS BEECROFT, where they underwent preliminary investigation and profiling.

The suspects were identified as Isaiah Oyetayo, 30; Goddey Ajinde Samson, 26; and Popoola Felix, 28.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly gained access to MV MAERSK CALABAR on September 14 while the vessel was at Apapa Port.

They reportedly used a canoe to reach the merchant vessel before concealing themselves inside the propeller compartment.

Their presence was discovered after the vessel commenced its voyage, resulting in the intervention of NNS BEECROFT and their subsequent arrest.Following the preliminary investigation, the three suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.

Commodore Adams-Aliu said the incident highlighted the dangers associated with unauthorised access to seagoing vessels, particularly by persons attempting to travel illegally by sea.

He noted that individuals who conceal themselves aboard vessels expose themselves to potentially life-threatening conditions while also creating safety and security risks for the vessels, their crews and other maritime personnel.

He therefore called on parents, guardians and other authority figures to discourage young people from engaging in such dangerous acts and to sensitise them to the risks associated with irregular migration by sea.

According to him, the implications of such incidents extend beyond individual safety, as unauthorised access to commercial vessels could have wider consequences for maritime safety and security across the West African sub-region.

The Commander reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to supporting the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in maintaining a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests.

He said the naval formation would also continue to contribute effectively to joint operations aimed at defending national sovereignty and maintaining internal stability.

The latest operation further demonstrates the role of maritime security agencies in monitoring Nigeria’s waterways and preventing unauthorised access to commercial vessels.

The collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Immigration Service is also expected to support efforts to address irregular migration while ensuring that Nigeria’s maritime domain remains safe and secure for legitimate commercial activities.

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