- The Nigerian Navy intercepted 19 suspected stowaways attempting to illegally migrate to Europe, hiding in rudder compartments of two vessels
- The Quick Response Team’s prompt action prevented dangerous conditions for the stowaways, who were subsequently handed over to immigration authorities
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 19 individuals attempting to stow away on vessels heading to Europe.
Lt. Hussaini Ibrahim, Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, revealed in a statement on Saturday that 15 stowaways were intercepted on Thursday aboard the European-bound vessel Moto Tanker (MT) KRITI RUBY.
Four additional suspects were apprehended on Saturday aboard MT MCC YANBU.
Ibrahim stated that initial investigations showed the stowaways boarded the ships at night and hid in the rudder compartments to migrate illegally to Europe.
He credited the successful interception to the Navy’s Quick Response Team (QRT), deployed at Atlas Cove, and the Falcon Eye Alignment, a Maritime Domain Awareness Facility.
These efforts align with the Presidential initiative to bolster the Blue Economy by eliminating maritime criminal activities.
“The Falcon Eye Alignment guided NNS BEECROFT’s QRT, leading to the interception of 15 stowaways at Lagos fairway buoy,” he said.
He added that the remaining four suspects were intercepted based on intelligence from Navy personnel assigned to escort duties onboard the vessel.
The QRT’s prompt action not only halted the illegal migration attempts but also saved the stowaways from potentially life-threatening conditions during the voyage.
The 15 suspects intercepted earlier were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa, on Friday for further investigation. The four recently apprehended suspects will also be transferred soon.