In a significant move to stop stowaways from using European vessels to illegally migrate to Europe, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intercepted 19 stowaways’ onboard vessels MT KRITI RUBY and MT MCC YANBU.
Disclosing this on Saturday in a statement, the Base Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, explained that the arrest was in accordance with the ongoing effort to sanitise the maritime environment of all forms of criminality and in support of the Presidential initiative to upscale the Blue Economy.
He observed that the Base, through its Quick Response Team (QRT) Deployed at ATLAS COVE on December 19, 2024, intercepted 15 stowaways onboard the European-bound vessel MT KRITI RUBY.
“Similarly, on 21st December 2024, the QRT intercepted an additional four stowaways onboard MT MCC YANBU.”
Lt Ibrahim further explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the stowaways boarded the vessels at night and concealed themselves in the rudder compartment while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe.
As a result, MT KRITI RUBY raised alarm through the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, Falcon Eye Alignment and requested immediate interception of the suspected stowaways.
“The Falcon Eye Alignment successfully vectored NNS BEECROFT QRT which led to the interception of 15 suspected stowaways at Lagos fairway buoy. On the other hand, the interception of the additional four suspects onboard MT MCC YANBU was a sequel to credible intelligence availed by NNS BEECROFT personnel deployed for escort duties onboard the vessel.
It was learnt that the prompt response of the Quick Response Team saved the stowaways from exposure to life-threatening situations during the long voyage.
The Nigerian Navy, while using the opportunity to warn others who might have been nursing such sinister motives, added that the effect of stowaways on maritime operations poses security threats to vessels and aids smuggling, piracy as well as drug and human trafficking amongst other maritime threats.
The NNS BEECROFT under the leadership of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, will continue to maintain a credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.
Meanwhile, it was disclosed that the first 15 suspected stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa on Friday, December 20, 2024, for further investigation and necessary action, while the remaining four suspected stowaways will be handed over later.
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