14 stowaways nabbed by Navy operatives

The Nigerian Navy ship Beecroft said it apprehended 14 stowaways aboard the UOG Constantine, a motor tanker, at Lagos Road Stead.

Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, Commander of NNS Beecroft and Maritime Component Commander of Operation Awatse, made the announcement in a statement signed by the base information officer, NNS Beecroft, Sub-Lieutenant H. A. Collins, on Tuesday.

The suspects include Osas Nusakare, Victor Egoma, Okechi Chika, Stephen Mmuta, Ibrahim Hassan, Ebuka Onura, and Okonkwo Gift.

Others are Emmanuel Godbless, Ayefuwe Collins, Alfred Ese, Abubakar Ibrahim, Godspower Moses, Aki Opeoluwa, and Oluwatosin Sunday.

The stowaways were apprehended on December 15, 2023, according to Oguntuga’s statement.

He also stated that two of them were arrested a month prior for a similar offense.

He said, “In a proactive and resolute demonstration to sustain maritime security, the patrol team of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft successfully intercepted and extracted 14 stowaways from a motor tanker to UOG Constantine at Lagos Road Stead on Friday, December 15, 2023.

“The timely action was prompted by intelligence received from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment Tactical teams swiftly boarded the vessel and discovered movements within the rudder compartment.

“Two of the apprehended stowaways had previously been arrested for a similar offense just a month ago, emphasizing the persistence of such illicit activities.

“However, the brave efforts of the patrol team averted life-threatening conditions for the individuals confined in the vessel’s compartment, emphasizing the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maritime safety.”

Oguntuga added that the stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for necessary actions.

“The arrested stowaways were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service following established protocols for further necessary action.

“The incident underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to its constitutional role under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, reinforcing the dedication to creating a secure maritime environment for the nation’s economic prosperity,” he added.