The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Apapa Lagos, has nabbed eight stowaways from a Tanker Ship, Charminar Panama which was on its way out of the country to Europe, in the early hours of Thursday.
Eight Nigerian stowaways, believed to have clandestinely boarded the vessel during the night, were discovered in the rudder compartment of the ship, along with some loaves of bread, biscuits, and sachets of water, within the Lagos Anchorage. Additionally, the Base apprehended six suspects, including a female who had been impersonating a Navy personnel.
Lieutenant Commander Tunde Ali, the Base Operation Officer, while handing over the stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Apapa, detailed the incident, stating, “At approximately 2:20 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2023, the Base patrol team received information regarding the presence of eight suspected stowaways on board Charminar Panama.
“The patrol team moved to the vessel and discovered eight men in the rudder of the vessel: John Festus,30; Kingsley James, 34; Egborjede Christopher, 43; Lucky Iweru, 46; Frank Uche,33; Omosheri Wilson, 33; Lisa Segun,37 and Abu Majid 25.”
“They were subsequently disembarked and taken on board.”
“We are handing them over to the appropriate security Agency, which is the Nigeria Immigration Service, today, (yesterday) for appropriate action”.
Upon endorsing the handover documents, a representative from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Daniel Duguryil, stated that the stowaways would undergo profiling before being transferred to an appropriate security agency for further investigation.
Additionally, in a related incident, the Base patrol team apprehended eight individuals, including a female, in the Ajah area of the state, who were allegedly impersonating members of the Navy. The suspects, namely Sylvester Chukwuedo, Oludipe Rotimi, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwuedo, Leonard Okonye, Dominic Nwabueze, and Mrs. Akinola Abidemi, claimed affiliation with the ‘Merchant Sail Navy’. However, they were found wearing distinct Nigerian Navy uniforms at the time of their arrest.
The apprehension, as explained by Commander Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga of NNS BEECROFT, took place during a raid on a property located at Akabueze Street, Bashorun, in the Ajah area of Lagos. This operation was prompted by intelligence suggesting fraudulent activities by the impostors.
In a statement conveyed by the Base Information Officer, Sub Lieutenant Happiness Collins, Commodore Oguntuga disclosed, “Two Toyota Hilux vehicles were seized, along with counterfeit Nigerian Navy identification cards and other related documents.”
“Notably, the apprehended vehicles bearing the inscription “SAIL NAVY”, along with the suspects and recovered exhibits, have been handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and prosecution. “The Nigerian Navy, under the astute leadership of Vice Admiral EmmanueI Ogalla, reaffirms its commitment to thwarting all forms of illegalities and to prevent law-abiding citizens from being swindled by unpatriotic individuals.”
“The Naval Base BEECROFT also remains resolute in upholding the law and ensuring the safety and security of the public, which is essential for the economic prosperity of our nation.”
The Nigerian Navy is asking people to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to report it immediately to the authorities. This is important because everyone working together can help protect the public from scams and fraud.