Nigerian Navy hands over 9 suspected stowaways to Immigration

The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, Friday, transferred nine suspected stowaways, who were rescued from the merchant vessel MT EVGENIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service.

A stowaway is an individual who hides aboard a vessel with the aim of travelling illegally to another country without permission.

A statement issued by the Commander, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, indicated that the handover was part of ongoing collaborative efforts among security agencies to combat illegal migration and improve maritime safety and security.

The suspects were found on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, concealed within the propeller compartment of the vessel.

They were safely evacuated and transported to NNS Beecroft for initial investigation and profiling.

“Preliminary findings identified the suspects as Thompson Vincent (23), Emmanuel Philip (24), Tobi Olalekan (32), Omotayo Adebowale (43), Abdullahi Idowu (21), Tunde Mustapha (19), Jamiu Ismaila (25), Ibrahim Alabi (30), and Christian Kadiri (22),” the statement noted.

It further stated: “Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects boarded MT EVGENIA while it was docked at Flour Mills Jetty in Apapa, intending to travel illegally to Europe.

“Parents, guardians and other authority figures in society are therefore urged to dissuade youths from attempting to board seagoing vessels unlawfully. As evidenced by this incident, the risks associated with such actions extend beyond Nigeria and impact other nations along the West Coast of Africa.

“It is important to emphasise that NNS Beecroft, under my command, will persist in fulfilling the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), which is to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and effectively contributing to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.”