…AS NNS BEECROFT ARRESTS EIGHT STOWAWAYS
Eight female victims of human traffickers have been rescued by the Nigerian Navy, just as two drowning fishermen were also rescued in the last five days at the Nigerian waters.
They were rescued by personnel attached to the Quick Response Team of the NN Forward Operating Base BADAGRY on the 9th of July, 2024 while being ferried en-route the Benin Republic.
On interrogation, it was apparent that a yet-to-be-identified agent was trafficking them hence the victims were later handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.
Disclosing this in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu said that the ages of the female victims were between 18 to 23 years old. In addition, eight male stowaways were arrested.
He noted in the brief that all the rescued and arrested victims were carried out in the last five days from 9th to 13th July, 2024, across the Nigerian Navy units in the Nation’s maritime domain.
Cdre Adams-Aliu further disclosed that a sea robbery attempt was foiled during the period under review.
In another development, on the 10th July 2024, personnel of the force attached to Forward Operating Base IBAKA, Akwa Ibom State intercepted suspected sea robbers who attempted to rob a supply vessel along Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government.
During the operation, the robbers opened fire on naval troops, prompting them to respond with heavy gunfire, culminating in the robbers retreating into the creeks, and the robbery attempt was effectively foiled.
The statement read in part, “Also, on 12th July 2024 Nigerian Navy personnel from Forward Operating Base Lekki rescued two drowning fishermen around Lekki Anchorage Area, about 10 nautical miles from Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.
“Findings revealed that the fishermen were fishing within the area when their boat capsized due to the rough sea state.
“In a different incident, on 13th July 2024, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV NORTHERNLIGHT while underway along Lagos Channel.”
It was further learnt that the incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment. Upon interrogation, five suspects admitted that they tried to board the vessel to enable them to travel abroad.
As a result, the suspects and speedboats have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port, and Marine Command for further investigation, adding that NNS BEECROFT has arrested 33 stowaways between January and July 2024.
Cdre Adams-Aliu reiterated while using the opportunity to remind all operators and stakeholders within the Nation’s maritime domain that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy is poised to keep Nigerian waters safe and secure for legitimate economic activities.
He warned every nefarious element to desist from perpetuating any form of illegalities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
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