Illegal Migration: NNS Beecroft Thwarts Attempt By 19 Stowaways To Board European Vessels

In a significant move to stop stowaways from using a European vessels into illegally migrating to Europe, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intercepted 19 stowaways onboard vessel MT KRITI RUBY and MT MCC YANBU.

Disclosing this on Saturday in a statement, the Base Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim explained that the arrest was in consonance with the ongoing effort to sanitise the maritime environment of all forms of criminalities and in support of the Presidential initiative to upscale the Blue Economy.

He observed that the Base through its Quick Response Team (QRT) Deployed at ATLAS COVE on the 19th December, 2024 intercepted 15 stowaways onboard an European bound vessel MT KRITI RUBY.

“Similarly, on 21st December, 2024, the QRT intercepted additional four stowaways onboard MT MCC YANBU.”

Lt Ibrahim further explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the stowaways boarded the vessels at night and concealed themselves in the rudder compartment while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe.

As a result, MT KRITI RUBY raised alarm through the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, Falcon Eye Alignment and requested for immediate interception of the suspected stowaways.

“The Falcon Eye Alignment successfully vectored NNS BEECROFT QRT which led to the interception of 15 suspected stowaways at Lagos fairway buoy. On the other hand, the interception of the additional four suspects onboard MT MCC YANBU was sequel to credible intelligence availed by NNS BEECROFT personnel deployed for escort duties onboard the vessel.

It was learnt that the prompt response of the Quick Response Team saved the stowaways from exposure to life threatening situation during the long voyage.

Nigerian Navy, while using the opportunity to warn others who might have been nursing such sinister motive, added that the effect of stowaways on maritime operations poses security threats to vessels and aids smuggling, piracy as well as drug and human trafficking amongst other maritime threats.

The NNS BEECROFT under the leadership of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, will continue to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks to ensure a safe and secured maritime environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive.

Meanwhile, it was disclosed that the first 15 suspected stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa on Friday, 20th December 2024, for further investigation and necessary action while the remaining four suspected stowaways will be handed over later.