Nine (9) stowaways attempting to migrate onboard a tanker vessel (LYSIAS VALETTA) to Spain, were on Saturday arrested by the operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft.
Kolawole Oguntuga, commander of the NNS Beecroft, spoke on Monday, saying that the stowaways were apprehended on Saturday.
Oguntuga said they were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after an established protocol for action.
He said the nine stowaways hid in a rudder compartment of the vessel but were found based on credible intelligence.
The Commander gave their names as Christian Ikechukwu, 32, from Imo State; Dennis Commander, 36, (Bayelsa State); Samson Army, 24, (Bayelsa State); Aribo Asiko, 26, (Ondo State) and Shina Folorunsho, 36, (Ekiti State).
Others are Wisdom Egharevba, 26, from Edo State; Okore Precious, 24, (Delta State); Ndukwe Sunday, 25, (Enugu State) and Agor Joseph, 57, (Delta State).
Oguntuga noted that the arrest and handover of the stowaways demnstrated the Nigerian Navy’s relentless commitment to its duties under the leadership of Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
Said Oguntuga: “The proactive detection and extraction of these individuals are commendable, preventing them from life-threatening situations during such extended voyage within confined spaces.
“Additionally, this action averts potential security threats to the vessel and its crew as well as mitigating embarrassing situations.
“We will continue to reinforce our dedication towards creating a secure maritime environment for the nation’s economic prosperity”.
