Navy rescues eight trafficked victims, arrests eight stowaways

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Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have apprehended eight suspected stowaways attempting to board two speed boats.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Director of Naval Information, Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, revealed that five of the suspects admitted they were trying to travel abroad.

Unbeknownst to the suspects, the patrol team of NNS Beecroft had spotted them during a patrol on July 13, 2024.

According to naval authorities, this latest arrest in Lagos brings the total number of stowaways caught between January and July to 33.

“NNS Beecroft on July 13, 2024, arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV Northernlight while underway along Lagos Channel,” the statement read.

“The incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.

“The suspects and speed boats have been handed over to Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port, and Marine Command for further investigation.

Similarly, eight female trafficked victims and two drowning fishermen were rescued by the Nigerian Navy units across the nation’s maritime domain.

“In the past week, from 9-13 July 2024, Nigerian Navy units across the Nation’s maritime domain, also rescued 8 female victims of human trafficking and 2 drowning fishermen. Additionally, a sea robbery attempt was foiled within the same period.

“Specifically, on July 9, 2024, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat with 8 females aged between 18-23 years en-route the Benin Republic.

“Upon interrogation, it became obvious that they were being trafficked by a yet-to-be-identified agent,” Adams-Aliu said.

The victims were later handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.