Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft have arrested four young Nigerians desperate to flee the country illegally to Europe.
The suspects were found inside the propeller compartment of a vessel, MT River Shiner by naval operatives on harbour patrol who observed suspicious movements of a wooden boat around the stern of the ship.
The operatives were said to have observed the suspicious movements around 4am on August 11 at the Lagos Anchorage but eventually discovered the stowaways around 9am after conducting a search on the ship.
A statement on Wednesday afternoon by the navy said the suspects were handed over to officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Navy identified the suspects as Happy Azuka, 25, Felix Bright, 19, Osas Kennedy, 22, and Onyibe Lucky, 19, all squatters at Sagbo Koji community, an island settlement along Sea School Channel, Apapa.
Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Bashir Mohammed, said findings by the Navy revealed that the suspects came from different parts of the country to Lagos in search for jobs and lived with a friend in Sagbo Koji community.
“Additionally, they confessed that it was at Sagbo Koji community they heard about stowaway missions and decided to travel to Europe.
“The suspects have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.
Mohammed advised Nigerians to follow due process of migration.