Nigerian Navy  Intercepts  14 Stowaways Onboard MT  Uog Constantine Off Lagos Coast

Operatives of  the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intercepted 14 stowaways from MOTOR TANKER UOG CONSTANTINE at Lagos Roadstead over the weekend .

Commander NNS BEECROFT and Maritime Component Commander Of Operation AWATSE, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga disclosed this  in a statement on Tuesday December 19 2023.

Oguntuga in the release signed by Sub-Lieutenant Happiness  Collins, Base Information Officer , Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT was quoted saying  the timely action was prompted by intelligence received from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment Tactical teams swiftly boarded the vessel and discovered movements within the rudder compartment.

He noted that two of the apprehended stowaways had previously been arrested for a similar offense just a month ago, emphasizing the persistence of such illicit activities.

“The brave efforts of the patrol team averted life-threatening conditions for the individuals confined in the vessel’s compartment, emphasizing the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maritime safety,

The arrested individuals are:

Osas Nusakare (45, Edo State)

Okechi Chika (44, Abia State)

Stephen Mmuta (35, Imo State)

Ibrahim Hassan (30, Adamawa)

Ebuka Onura (22, Enugu State)

Emmanuel Godbless (30, Delta State)

Ayefuwe Collins (27, Delta State)

Victor Egoma (35, Edo State)

Alfred Ese (32, Delta State)

Abbubakar Ibrahim (20, Zamfara State)

Godspower Moses (21, C/Rivers State)

Aki Opeoluwa (33, Ogun State)

Okonkwo Gift (25, Enugu State) and

Oluwa Tosin Sunday (40, Ondo State).

He stressed that the arrested stowaways were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) following established protocols for further necessary action.

“The incident underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to its constitutional role under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, reinforcing the dedication to creating a secure maritime environment for the nation’s economic prosperity.