By Adeosun Christiana Pelumi (SIWES student, D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
The Nigerian Navy, specifically the NNS Beecroft, successfully apprehended eight stowaways on November 3, 2023, who were attempting to leave Nigeria on a ship heading to Abidjan.
The stowaways were concealed in the rudder compartment of the container vessel NATAL. Commander Kolawale Oguntuga credited reliable intelligence for the operation’s success.
The individuals captured were Jerry Benjamin (22), Ben Tony (19), Victory Ekemele (16), and Ike Destiny (17) from Delta State; Ebuka Solomon (25) and Christian Eze (26) from Enugu State; James Vincent (25) from Edo State, and David Abamiyo (27) from Ondo State.
Commander Oguntuga praised his patrol team for their outstanding efforts in maintaining maritime security.
They boarded the vessel at Lagos anchorage around 8:40 a.m., preventing the stowaways from undertaking their illegal journey.
This intervention not only stopped their illicit exit from the country but also saved them from potential life-threatening situations in the confined compartment during the lengthy voyage.
The NNS Beecroft patrol team followed established protocols and handed over the stowaways to the Nigerian Immigration Service at Naval Base Apapa in Lagos for further necessary actions.
