The patrol team of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has successfully apprehended nine stowaways in the rudder compartment of the Spain-bound Motor Tanker vessel LYSIAS VALETTA.
Commander of the Ship, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, reported on Monday, February 5, that the discovery was made on February 3 when the stowaways were found aboard the vessel attempting to leave the country illegally.
Following established protocols, the stowaways have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for further necessary action. The individuals were identified as Christian Ikechukwu, 32, from Imo; Dennis Commander, 36, Bayelsa; Samson Army, 24, Bayelsa; Aribo Asiko, 26, Ondo; and Shina Folorunsho, 36, Ekiti.
The remaining individuals include Wisdom Egharevba, 26, from Edo; Okore Precious, 24, Delta; Ndukwe Sunday, 25, Enugu; and Agor Joseph, 57, Delta.
Oguntuga commended the proactive detection and extraction of these individuals, highlighting the prevention of life-threatening situations during an extended voyage within confined spaces. He emphasized that the action also averted potential security threats to the vessel and its crew, ultimately mitigating any embarrassing situations.
