NNS BEECROFT Patrol Team Extracts 4 Stowaways onboard Dubai-bound Container Vessel 

Chiemelie Ezeobi

While on routine patrol, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT team successfully extracted and apprehended four stowaways onboard  Container Vessel TEME EXPRESS, which was enroute Dubai.   

According to the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, tactical teams were dispatched to the vessel at Lagos Anchorage, sequel to receiving information from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment.   

In a statement made available to THISDAY, the Base Information Officer, Sub-Lieutenant Happiness Collins, said upon arrival, the naval team noticed movements inside the rudder compartment.  

She said: “Consequently, the team boarded the ship located and extracted the four stowaways. The stowaways were found with a bag filled with snacks and a another polybag containing sachet water. 

“The stowaways were identified as Ebi Agrive, 22 years old from Bayelsa State;  

 Lucky Amusu, 23 years from Lagos;  Goodness Edu, 28 years from Akwa Ibom and  Micheal Daniel, 18 years  from  Ondo State.

“They have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols.”

Meanwhile, the Commander further stated that apart from the stowaways putting themselves in life threatening situations during the long voyage at sea especially as they remain in a confined space for extended duration, the stowaways also present myriad of security threats to the crew with dire consequences on the image of the nation.

This arrest and handover therefore is another testament of the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment and resolve under the Leadership of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, towards holistic maritime security for economic prosperity of Nigeria.