The Nigerian Navy has handed over three suspected stowaways arrested aboard a merchant vessel to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
The suspects were arrested on Monday, September 14, after reportedly gaining access to the MV Maersk Calabar while the vessel was at Apapa Port in Lagos.
According to the Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the Navy received information from the Western Regional Control Centre and deployed its Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay.
The naval team intercepted the vessel around the Lagos Fairway Buoy and found the suspects hiding inside the vessel’s propeller compartment. They were taken to the naval base for preliminary investigation and profiling.
The suspects were identified as Isaiah Oyetayo, 30; Goddey Ajinde Samson, 26; and Popoola Felix, 28.
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Preliminary findings indicated that the trio allegedly used a canoe to reach the merchant vessel before hiding in the propeller compartment in an attempt to travel by sea.
Following their preliminary investigation, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.
The Navy warned that unauthorised access to commercial vessels and attempts to travel illegally by sea could expose individuals to life-threatening conditions and create security risks for vessels, crew members and maritime operations.
The incident also highlights the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria’s security agencies in tackling irregular migration and maintaining safety within the country’s maritime domain.
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