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By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy said its operatives attached to its frontline base, the NNS BEECROFT has rescued five persons attempting to travel out of Nigeria through illegal means.
The Commander of the NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams Aliu said the suspected stowaways were rescued rescued from the merchant vessel, MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, which was travelling to India from the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Commodore Adams Aliu said the men were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.
According to the Nigerian Navy, the five men were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel,explaining that a stowaway is a person who secretly boards a vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation.
The suspects were safely evacuated by naval personnel and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
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He said initial investigations identified the suspects as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).
Further findings revealed that the suspects had boarded MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port, intending to travel illegally to India.
The Navy said the handover to the Nigeria Immigration Service underscores the sustained collaboration among security agencies in addressing illegal migration and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The Commanding Officer of NNS BEECROFT urged parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from engaging in dangerous and unlawful attempts to board seagoing vessels in pursuit of irregular migration.
He reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to fulfilling the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, by maintaining a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests, supporting joint operations, defending national sovereignty, and contributing to internal security.
