By Joshua Yousouph
Maritime stakeholders have raised fresh concerns over the increasing sophistication of stowaway methods in Nigeria’s waters, following the arrest of at least eight stowaways by the Nigerian Navy in separate operations since the beginning of 2026.
The arrests were disclosed through a series of press statements and media briefings issued by naval authorities, particularly the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who provided updates on recent interceptions and maritime enforcement activities.
Incidents recorded between March and April involved stowaways intercepted on vessels and near the Lagos Fairway Buoy. However, industry experts say the growing trend of stowaways gaining access to ships through unconventional routes—particularly the rudder compartment points to the need for stricter external vessel checks.
According to reports, in March 2026, naval operatives intercepted two stowaways off the Lagos coast, during a routine patrol. The suspects were found concealed aboard a vessel and were subsequently handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
In early April, the Navy arrested three Ghanaian nationals who had illegally boarded a Europe-bound vessel in Lagos. The interception, also confirmed in a naval briefing, highlighted the continued use of Nigerian ports as transit points for irregular migration.
Similarly, in mid-April, three additional stowaways were apprehended aboard the merchant vessel MSC Stella near the Lagos Fairway Buoy. Naval authorities disclosed that the individuals were attempting to travel unlawfully to Europe when they were discovered during security checks.
Commodore Adams-Aliu, while addressing journalists in one of the briefings, reiterated the Navy’s commitment to maintaining maritime security and preventing criminal activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters. He warned that stowaway attempts pose serious safety risks and violate international maritime regulations.
Although official Navy sources indicate that the total number of intercepted stowaways in 2026 may be higher, at least eight arrests have been independently verified through media reports.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs Boma Alabi had earlier raised concerns at a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos over the operational and financial burden posed by stowaway incidents on shipping companies.
Alabi noted that shipping agents continue to grapple with cases of stowaways boarding vessels undetected, leading to delays in vessel departure as investigations and disembarkation processes are carried out.
She further highlighted the heavy financial implications associated with such incidents, including fines, diversion costs, and additional crew management responsibilities, as well as the reputational risk to Nigeria as a port of origin.
According to her, “Shipping companies are often held responsible for situations that are largely security-related and beyond their operational control.”
The SAN Chairman called for stronger and more coordinated port security measures, improved collaboration among relevant agencies, and the establishment of a clear responsibility framework to prevent undue liability on shipping companies.
But, speaking exclusively with Shipping Position Daily last week, a former President of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA), Engr. Matthew Alalade, explained that while onboard security has improved significantly, most stowaways now exploit areas outside the vessel structure.
According to Alalade, “You hardly find stowaways inside the vessel anymore because onboard security is tight. What we are seeing now is people coming through small boats and hanging on the rudder.” He advised that shipping companies and agents must adopt proactive measures, including deploying speedboats to inspect vessel undersides before departure, especially when ships are lightly loaded.
Alalade also clarified that international maritime practice does not permit captains to harm stowaways, stressing that any individual found onboard must be handed over at the next port of call for proper repatriation. “There is no right to throw anyone overboard. The standard procedure is to report to the next port and hand the person over to authorities,” he said.
On the regulatory side, he expressed concerns that aspects of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act may be outdated in addressing emerging stowaway tactics, urging a review to reflect current realities.
Providing legal perspective, maritime lawyer and immediate Past Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers (ICS), Dr. Chris Ebare reiterated that throwing stowaways into the sea is a serious offence under international maritime conventions.
He explained that individuals found onboard vessels illegally must be handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution in line with existing laws, including Nigeria’s SPOMO Act.
Ebare maintained that while enforcement of maritime laws in Nigeria is ongoing, greater awareness and consistent application remain necessary to deter violations.
“To the best of my knowledge, there is no law that permits a captain to throw a stowaway into the sea. Such actions would amount to a serious offence. When a stowaway is discovered onboard a vessel, the appropriate procedure is to hand the individual over to the relevant authorities for prosecution.
“It is not a case of jungle justice. Maritime laws and international conventions are clear on how such situations should be handled. The Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act provides for penalties, and offenders must be dealt with through lawful means, not extrajudicial actions. From what I know, enforcement of maritime laws in Nigeria is ongoing, but more awareness and consistent application are necessary.” he noted.
