The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after they were discovered concealed in the rudder compartment of the merchant vessel MT Chinafrie Happiness.
The suspects, Segun Samuel Boyewa, 31; Kingsley Chukwu, 43; Joseph Judge, 33; Moses Aletor, 24; and Abdullahi Danlami, 31, were found on June 17 and evacuated to NNS Beecroft for investigation and profiling.
Preliminary findings indicated that the five men had boarded the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port, intending to travel illegally to India.
They were transferred to the NIS on Monday as part of collaborative efforts among security agencies to curb illegal migration and enhance maritime safety.
A statement from NNS Beecroft said it remained committed to the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to deploy a professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty.
The Base urged parents, guardians and authority figures to discourage youths from attempting to board vessels illegally.
