The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has intercepted and handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after they were discovered concealed in the rudder compartment of a merchant vessel at Lagos port. The men were found aboard the MT Chinafrie Happiness on 17 June and subsequently evacuated to NNS Beecroft for profiling and investigation.
The suspects were identified as Segun Samuel Boyewa, 31, Kingsley Chukwu, 43, Joseph Judge, 33, Moses Aletor, 24, and Abdullahi Danlami, 31. Preliminary investigations revealed that the five men allegedly boarded the vessel while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port, with the intention of travelling illegally to India.
The suspects were formally transferred to the NIS on Monday as part of ongoing inter-agency efforts to combat illegal migration, strengthen maritime security and enhance safety within Nigeria’s territorial waters. In a statement, NNS Beecroft reaffirmed its commitment to the strategic vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to maintain a professional and combat-ready naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty.
The naval base also urged parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from attempting dangerous and unlawful journeys by sea, warning of the significant risks associated with stowing away on commercial vessels.