The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a 45 percent decline in stowaway cases across the country’s maritime domain, attributing the drop to improved surveillance, increased patrol operations, and targeted training for its personnel.
Speaking during a regional maritime security workshop held in Lagos, officials of the NIS disclosed that many of the recent stowaway incidents involved West African nationals who posed as fishermen to gain access to vessels. The individuals were said to often conceal themselves in sensitive compartments such as radar rooms and steering gear spaces in a bid to escape detection.
To address the growing trend, the service said it has deployed more patrol boats and enhanced surveillance infrastructure along key maritime corridors. It has also introduced multilingual training for officers to enable them to communicate effectively with foreign nationals and manage stowaway cases complicated by language barriers.
The service said that rather than opting for immediate detention, suspected stowaways are now profiled at designated centres where their identity, intent, and country of origin are determined. However, it noted that any individual found in possession of weapons is prosecuted under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act.
An aide to the Comptroller General of Immigration, Mr. Steven Amole, who represented the NIS leadership at the workshop, described the event as a landmark for maritime collaboration in the West and Central African region. He commended Nigeria for hosting the workshop and emphasized the country’s increasing role in promoting maritime security.
Amole warned that while terrorism has yet to infiltrate the region’s waters, the rising incidence of crimes such as oil theft, human smuggling, and illegal bunkering poses a growing threat that requires urgent regional cooperation and preventive measures.
The workshop concluded with a guided tour of the Apapa Seaport, including a visit to APM Terminals. During the visit, participants were briefed on ongoing logistics upgrades and expansion efforts, particularly those aimed at extending operations toward Cameroon as part of plans to decongest Lagos ports.
Delegates from participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime security frameworks in the sub-region, citing Nigeria’s proactive stance and leadership as a model for coordinated regional response to evolving maritime threats.
