Eight stowaways on board a container vessel NATAL heading to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire have been apprehended on Friday at Lagos anchorage by the team of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, following reliable intelligence.
Penpushing reports that this was made known in a statement by the Base Information Officer of the ship, H.A. Collins, and gave identities of those apprehended as as Jerry Benjamin (22), Ben Tony (19), Victory Ekemele (16), and Ike Destiny (17), all from Delta State.
The statement by the sub-lieutenant, made available to journalists added that others include Ebuka Solomon (25), and Christian Eze (26), both from Enugu State, James Vincent (25) from Edo State and David Abamiyo (27) from Ondo State
Penpushing further reports that Collins, said they were apprehended by the patrol team, acting on reliable intelligence on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Lagos anchorage around 0840 hours, while attempting to illegally leave the country through the vessel
‘At approximately 0840 hours on Friday 3rd November 2023 the patrol team, acting on reliable intelligence boarded the vessel at Lagos Anchorage and apprehended eight stowaways attempting to illegally exit the country through the vessel’, she stated.
‘With commendable resolve by the patrol team under the aegis of Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, Commander NNS BEECROFT, the patrol team meticulously extracted eight stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessel’, Collins added.
‘The brave efforts and timely intervention of the patrol team prevented the individuals from being exposed to life-threatening situations in such a confined compartment for the long voyage as well as other security threats associated with unauthorised access to such facilities’, she stated
Penpushing also reports that the base information officer said in a seamless transition, the stowaways had been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.
“Pertinently, the remarkable arrest and handover of the individuals is a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment in conducting its constitutional role and it also underscores the dedication of the Nigerian Navy under the esteemed leadership of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, towards ensuring the nation’s maritime environment is conducive for legitimate business to thrive for the economic prosperity of our nation’.
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