The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT patrol team has intercepted four persons onboard Container Vessel TEME EXPRESS which was enroute Dubai.
The suspects were successfully extracted and apprehended by officers on routine patrol on Monday, November 13.
Confirming the development, yesterday, Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, said tactical teams were dispatched to the vessel at Lagos Anchorage, sequel to information received from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment.
He identified the stowaways as Ebi Agrive, 22, from Bayelsa State, Lucky Amusu, 23, from Lagos State, Goodness Edu, 28, from Akwa Ibom State and Michael Daniel, 18, from Ondo State.
According to him, the suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols.
He said: “Upon arrival, the team noticed movements inside the rudder compartment.
“Consequently, the team boarded the ship, located and extracted the four stowaways. The stowaways were found with a bag filled with snacks and another polybag containing sachet water.”
The Commander further stated that apart from the stowaways putting themselves in life threatening situations during the long voyage at sea, especially as they remain in a confined space for extended duration, the stowaways also present a myriad of security threats to the crew with dire consequences on the image of the nation.
“This arrest and handover therefore is another testament of the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment and resolve under the Leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, towards holistic maritime security for economic prosperity of Nigeria,” Oguntuga added.
Speaking to newsmen after their parade, Edu said they boarded the vessel from the shipside without knowing where it was heading.
“ I lost my parents in 2021, and was living with my uncle who was not taking good care of me. So, I decided to leave my uncle, and came to Lagos to stay with my friends.
“I was working as a labourer in one of the ports, but I could neither afford an accommodation nor sustain myself.
“I knew it was a risk and I fasted before embarking on the trip. I was ready to accept my fate.
“We paid N2, 000 to a fishing boat at Tin Can to assist us cross to the ship, and we climbed the ship and hid at a corner,” he said.
Also, 19-year-old Daniel said he met the other guys, who told him about the movement and he agreed to join them.
“We have spent three days inside the ship before the operators found where we are hiding,” he said.
For Agrive, 22, his motivation was to rescue his family out of poverty.
He said: “I don’t have any helper and none of my family members are doing well. So, I decided to travel out by all means so I can make it in life. We were feeding on biscuits and sachet water for three days before we were arrested.”
