…12 OTHERS TOO
Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team has, once again, during an operation, thwarted 14 stowaways from illegally embarking on a deadly voyage out of the country.
Among those arrested in a MOTOR TANKER UOG CONSTANTINE at Lagos Roadstead on Friday, 15 December 2023, were two stowaways said to have been arrested about a month ago and handed over to the appropriate authority.
According to the navy, such an act reemphasized the persistence of such illicit activities but vowed to ensure that the maritime corridor was kept safe for business prosperity.
Commander NNS BEECROFT, who is also the Maritime Component Commander of Operation AWATSE, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga disclosed on Tuesday in Lagos about the interception and arrest.
Those extracted are: Osas Nosakare (45, Edo State), Okechi Chika (44, Abia State), Stephen Mmuta (35, Imo State), Ibrahim Hassan (30, Adamawa), Ebuka Onura (22, Enugu State), and Emmanuel Godbless (30, Delta State).
Others are identified as: Ayefuwe Collins (27, Delta State), Victor Egoma (35, Edo State), Alfred Ese (32, Delta State), Abbubakar Ibrahim (20, Zamfara State), Godspower Moses (21, C/Rivers State), Aki Opeoluwa (33, Ogun State), Okonkwo Gift (25, Enugu State) and Oluwa Tosin Sunday (40, Ondo State).
According to a statement signed by the Base Information Officer, Sub-Lieutenant Happiness Collins on behalf of the Commander explained that the timely action was prompted by intelligence received from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment necessitating the Tactical teams swinging into swift action, boarded the vessel and discovered movements within the rudder compartment.
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.
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.
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