LAGOS – The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has intercepted and extracted nine stowaways from the motor tanker vessel Lysias Valletta, en route to Spain, a navy spokesman said on Sunday.
The suspects, identified as Christian Ikechukwu, Dennis Commander, Samson Army, Aribo Asiko, Shina Folorunsho, Wisdom Egharevba, Okore Precious, Ndukwe Sunday, and Agor Joseph, were apprehended by the NNS Beecroft Quick Response Team led by Commander Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, who also serves as the Maritime Component Commander, Operation Awatse.
According to Oguntuga, the operation was initiated following intelligence suggesting the presence of potential stowaways on board the vessel on February 3, 2024. The Quick Response Team swiftly deployed and upon arrival, discovered nine stowaways hidden in the rudder compartment of the Lysias Valletta.
“At approximately 12:30 p.m., the patrol team successfully recovered the stowaways. The arrested stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), following established protocols, for further necessary action,” Oguntuga stated.
Commending the proactive detection and extraction of the suspects, Commodore Oguntuga emphasized that the intervention prevented the stowaways from potentially life-threatening situations during an extended voyage within confined spaces.
“Additionally, this action averted potential security threats to the vessel and its crew as well as mitigated embarrassing situations. The incident underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to its constitutional role under the leadership of Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, reinforcing the dedication to creating a secure maritime environment for the nation’s economic prosperity,” he added.
