The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, on Friday handed over nine suspected stowaways rescued from the merchant vessel MT EVGENIA to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
A stowaway refers to someone who secretly boards and hides on a vessel in an attempt to travel illegally to another country without the required authorization.
According to a statement by the NNS Beecroft Commander, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the transfer was carried out as part of continued cooperation between security agencies to tackle illegal migration and strengthen safety and security on Nigerian waters.
The suspects were found on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, concealed within the propeller compartment of the vessel.
They were safely evacuated and transported to NNS Beecroft for initial investigation and profiling.
“Preliminary findings identified the suspects as Thompson Vincent (23), Emmanuel Philip (24), Tobi Olalekan (32), Omotayo Adebowale (43), Abdullahi Idowu (21), Tunde Mustapha (19), Jamiu Ismaila (25), Ibrahim Alabi (30), and Christian Kadiri (22),” the statement noted.
It further stated: “Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects boarded MT EVGENIA while it was docked at Flour Mills Jetty in Apapa, intending to travel illegally to Europe.
“Parents, guardians and other authority figures in society are therefore urged to dissuade youths from attempting to board seagoing vessels unlawfully. As evidenced by this incident, the risks associated with such actions extend beyond Nigeria and impact other nations along the West Coast of Africa.
“It is important to emphasise that NNS Beecroft, under my command, will persist in fulfilling the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), which is to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and effectively contributing to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.”
