Naval operatives arrest suspected stowaways in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three suspected stowaways who allegedly concealed themselves in the propeller compartment of a merchant vessel, MV Maersk Calabar, in an attempt to travel illegally by sea.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft on Monday, September 14, 2026, while the vessel was underway around the Lagos Fairway Buoy.

The suspects allegedly confessed that they were fleeing hunger and hardship in search of greener pastures abroad.

The Navy disclosed in a statement that the suspects had been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.

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

According to the statement, the NNS Beecroft Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted the vessel following a tip-off from the Western Regional Control Centre.

The naval team reportedly extracted the suspects from the vessel’s propeller compartment and conveyed them to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation and profiling.

The Executive Officer of NNS Beecroft, Capt. Olanrewaju Olubunmi Oginni, who represented the ship’s Commander, Commodore Aiwuyor Augustine Adams-Aliuz, at a brief handover ceremony, said preliminary findings revealed that the suspects had boarded the vessel at Apapa Port on September 14 using a canoe before allegedly hiding in the propeller compartment.

He said their presence was discovered after the vessel got underway, prompting the intervention of the naval authorities.

The handover, according to the Navy, underscored the collaboration among security agencies in tackling illegal migration and strengthening maritime safety and security.

The Navy warned that unauthorised access to seagoing vessels could endanger the lives of those involved and pose serious safety and security risks to vessels, crew members and maritime operations.