The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft apprehended three stowaways onboard a tanker vessel Front Altiers headed for Europe at Lagos Roadstead on Wednesday.
Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, Commander of NNS Beecroft and Maritime Component Commander of Operation Awatse, made the announcement in a statement signed by the NNS Beecroft base Information Officer, Sub-Lieutenant H. A. Collins, on Friday.
Ebuka Daniel, 29, from Enugu State, Samuel Abraham, 32, from Edo State, and Christian Happy, 32, from Delta State are among the accused.
The statement read, “Under the aegis of Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, Commander Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft and Maritime, Component Commander Operation Awatse, successfully intercepted and apprehended three stowaways attempting illegal migration on the tanker vessel Front Altiers at Lagos roadstead, bound for Europe.
“Acting on reliable intelligence, the patrol team meticulously extracted the stowaways concealed in the rudder compartment of the vessel, preventing them from exposure to life-threatening situations during the long voyage.
“The individuals were discovered to have boarded with the assistance of fishermen for a fee of N20,000 and N5,000 respectively. The swift and commendable efforts of the patrol team ensured the timely intervention, avoiding potential security threats associated with unauthorised access.”
Oguntuga added that the stowaways have been handed to the Nigerian Immigration Service for necessary action.