Despite the fear of the covid19 pandemic spread and stay at home directives by the government, operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos Seaports and Marine Command on Friday, arrested six stowaways at about 3 nautical miles off the Lagos fairway buoy.
The stowaways who are all Nigerians boarded a South Africa-bound vessel, MV GRAND DUKE with Panama flag along the Lagos channel while sailing at slow speed .
Public Relations Officer, Lagos Seaports/Marine Command , DSI Augustus Maisor disclosed this in a statement on Saturday .
The statement identified them as : Pedro Desmond Peter (27) from Borno State; Noah Osas Richard (24), Edo State; Eze Paul (36), Imo State; Elijah Sunday (35); Adewale Thompson Oki (29) and Paul Oguns (24), all from Ondo State.
In consonance with the NCDC guidelines on COVID-19, the stowaways (all male) were subjected to temperature check by Port Health officials and confirmed to be normal before profiling by personnel of the Command.
While parading the irregular migrants at the Headquarters of Lagos Seaports and Marine Command, Comptroller Olubusola Fashakin ,was quoted saying the command is working hand-in-glove with the Port Health Services and other critical stakeholders in preventing further spread of the Corona Virus Disease through irregular migration.
She also reminded the arrested stowaways of the dangers associated with their desperate quest for “Greener Pastures” outside the shores of the country.
The six stowaways are to be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further necessary action.
By Roland Ekama
