Navy Arrests 14 Stowaways
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has intercepted 14 stowaways onboard a motor tanker UOG Constantine at Lagos Road Stead.
The Commander, NNS Beecroft and Maritime Component Commander of Operation Awatse, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, made this known in a statement signed by the Base Information Officer, NNS Beecroft, Sub-Lieutenant H. A. Collins.
According to the statement, the suspects are: Osas Nusakare (45, Edo State); Okechi Chika (44, Abia State); Stephen Mmuta (35, Imo State); Ibrahim Hassan (30, Adamawa); Ebuka Onura (22, Enugu State); Emmanuel Godbless (30, Delta State); Ayefuwe Collins (27, Delta State) Victor Egoma (35, Edo State) and Alfred Ese (32, Delta State).
Others include Abbubakar Ibrahim (20, Zamfara State); Godspower Moses (21, Cross River State); Aki Opeoluwa (33, Ogun State); Okonkwo Gift (25, Enugu State) and Oluwa Tosin Sunday (40, Ondo State).
Oguntuga said the stowaways were arrested on December 15, adding that two of them had previously been arrested for a similar offence a month ago.
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“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 MOTOR TANKER UOG CONSTANTINE at Lagos Roadstead on Friday, 15 December 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 offence just a month ago, emphasising the persistence of such illicit activities.
The brave efforts of the patrol team averted life-threatening conditions for the individuals confined in the vessel’s compartment, emphasising the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maritime safety.
The arrested stowaways were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) 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,” the statement said.
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