Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over 9 suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT EVGENIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The handover forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts among security agencies to curb illegal migration and enhance maritime safety and security.
The suspects were discovered on Wednesday 19 August 2026, concealed within the propeller compartment of the vessel.
They were safely evacuated and conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Initial 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). Further investigations revealed that the suspects boarded MT EVGENIA while the vessel was berthed alongside Flour mills jetty Apapa with the intention of travelling to Europe illegally.
The Navy advises parents, guardians, and other authority figures within society to discourage youths from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally. As demonstrated by this incident, the dangers associated with such acts extends beyond Nigeria and affect other countries along the West Coast of Africa.
“It is pertinent to note that NNS BEECROFT, under my command, will continue to actualise 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 safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.” it said.