Navy Nabs 8 Suspected Stowaway, Rescues Trafficked Victims

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy have arrested eight suspected stowaways during their attempt to board two-speed boats.

Disclosing this in a Tuesday statement, the Director of Naval Information, Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said five of the eight suspects admitted that they wanted to travel abroad.

He said unknown to the suspects, the patrol team of NNS Beecroft had sighted them during a patrol conducted on July 13, 2024.

According to the naval authorities, the latest arrest in Lagos brings to 33 stowaways nabbed between January and July.

“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.