The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has warned young Nigerians against taking dangerous and illegal routes in search of opportunities abroad, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage such journeys.

The Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, gave the warning while handing over nine suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation and profiling.

The suspects were allegedly found hiding in the propeller compartment of MT EVGENIA on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

According to the Navy, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had boarded the vessel while it was berthed at Flour Mills Jetty, Apapa, Lagos, allegedly in an attempt to travel illegally to Europe.

The suspects were identified as Thompson Vincent, 23; Emmanuel Philip, 24; Tobi Olalekan, 32; Omotayo Adebowale, 43; Abdullahi Idowu, 21; Tunde Mustapha, 19; Jamiu Ismaila, 25; Ibrahim Alabi, 30; and Christian Kadiri, 22.

They were safely evacuated from the vessel and taken to NNS BEECROFT, where they underwent preliminary investigation and profiling before being handed over to the NIS on Friday, August 21.

The Navy said the operation was part of ongoing collaboration among security agencies to curb illegal migration and strengthen maritime safety and security.

A stowaway is a person who secretly conceals themselves aboard a vessel to travel to another country without the required authorisation.

The Navy warned that attempting to migrate illegally through such means could expose individuals to serious and potentially life-threatening risks, while also creating security and migration challenges for countries along the West African coast.

Adams-Aliu said the command would continue to support efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime interests and maintain security within the country’s territorial waters.

He added that NNS BEECROFT remained committed to actualising the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.