Following the unbearable hardship across the country, Navy Ship BEECROCFT patrol team, on Tuesday, nabbed eleven men who hid inside a ship to flee illegally to Ghana.
The Base Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Sub-Lieutenant H.A Collins in a statement released on Tuesday disclosed that the men were nabbed around 7pm Nigerian time when the Navy Ship BEECROFT were on patrol.
He said they immediately alerted the Western Regional Control Centre (WRCC) to stop the vessel in Lagos anchorage.
Collins in a statement said, “Initially we arrested four stowaways from the stern of the vessel.
“However, the four people who were arrested revealed that there were more people hiding inside the ship.
“Following a comprehensive search, we discovered seven more stowaways inside the ship, making a total of 11 stowaways who were pulled out of the vessel.”
He also added that the men who wanted to leave the country illegally were between the age of 19 and 37 years – they are from different parts of Nigeria.
“It is not clear how they got to the ship to hide”, he added.
The Nigerian Navy said that the men had no idea the ship they boarded to escape was headed to Ghana.
He said, “Apart from the fact that the stowaways put themselves in life-threatening situations during the long voyage at sea, it also shows the kind of security situation in the country.
“Accordingly, this arrest and handover by the patrol team is essential reminder of the critical role the Nigerian Navy is playing in ensuring maritime security.”
The Base spokesmen said they have handed over the people to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in line with the established protocols.
