The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft has announced the successful arrest of 14 stowaways aboard the motor tanker UOG Constantine at Lagos Road Stead.
The arrests were made on December 15, 2023, as revealed by the Commander of NNS Beecroft and Maritime Component Commander Of Operation Awatse, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga.
According to a statement from the base Information Officer of NNS Beecroft, Sub-Lieutenant H. A Collins, the patrol team acted swiftly based on intelligence from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment.
Oguntuga emphasized the importance of the timely action in sustaining maritime security.
“In a proactive and resolute demonstration to sustain maritime security, the patrol team of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft successfully intercepted and extracted 14 stowaways from a motor tanker UOG Constantine at Lagos Road Stead on Friday, December 15, 2023,” Oguntuga stated.
He highlighted the persistence of such illicit activities by revealing that two of the apprehended stowaways had been previously arrested for a similar offense just a month ago.
The patrol team, through its brave efforts, averted potential life-threatening conditions for the individuals confined in the vessel’s compartment.
“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,” Oguntuga explained.
The arrested stowaways, including Osas Nusakare, Victor Egoma, Okechi Chika, Stephen Mmuta, Ibrahim Hassan, Ebuka Onura, Okonkwo Gift, Emmanuel Godbless, Ayefuwe Collins, Alfred Ese, Abubakar Ibrahim, Godspower Moses, Aki Opeoluwa, and Oluwatosin Sunday, have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for necessary actions.
“The arrested stowaways were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service following established protocols for further necessary action,” Oguntuga confirmed.
