The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft stated it apprehended 14 stowaways onboard the motor tanker UOG Constantine at Lagos Road Stead.
This was revealed in a statement on Tuesday that was signed by Sub-Lieutenant H. A. Collins, the base information officer at NNS Beecroft, and Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the commander of the maritime component of Operation Awatse.
Osas Nusakare, Victor Egoma, Stephen Mmuta, Ibrahim Hassan, Ebuka Onura, Okonkwo Gift, and Okechi Chika are among the accused.
The others are Oluwatosin Sunday, Godspower Moses, Ayefuwe Collins, Alfred Ese, Abubakar Ibrahim, Godbless Emmanuel, and Aki Opeoluwa.
The stowaways were apprehended on December 15, 2023, according to Oguntuga’s statement.
He also mentioned that a month prior, two of them had been detained for a comparable conduct.
“In a proactive and resolute demonstration to sustain maritime security, the patrol team of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, successfully intercepted and extracted 14 stowaways from a motor tanker to UOG Constantine at Lagos Road Stead on Friday, December 15, 2023.
“The timely action was prompted by intelligence received from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment. Tactical teams swiftly boarded the vessel and discovered movements within the rudder compartment.
“Two of the apprehended stowaways had previously been arrested for a similar offence just a month ago, emphasising the persistence of such illicit activities.
“However, the brave efforts of the patrol team averted life-threatening conditions for the individuals confined in the vessel’s compartment, emphasising the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maritime safety.
“The arrested stowaways were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service following established protocols for further necessary action.
“The incident underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to its constitutional role under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, reinforcing the dedication to creating a secure maritime environment for the nation’s economic prosperity,” he said.
cc: Punch Ng
