Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft have arrested eight suspected stowaways during their attempt to board two-speed boats.
Unknown to the suspects, the patrol team of NNS Beecroft had sighted them during a patrol conducted on 13 July 2024.
With the latest arrest, NNS Beecroft which is in Lagos has so far apprehended 33 stowaways between January and July.
A statement on Tuesday by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said five of the eight suspects admitted that they wanted to travel abroad.
He said, “NNS Beecroft on 13 July 2024, arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV Northernlight while underway along Lagos Channel.
“The incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.
“The suspects and speed boats have been handed over to Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port and Marine Command for further investigation.
Similarly, Adams-Aliu said upon interrogation, the five suspects admitted that they attempted to board the vessel to enable them to travel abroad.
He also noted that eight female trafficked victims and two drowning fishermen were rescued.
Adams-Aliu said, “In the past week, from 9-13 July 2024, Nigerian Navy units across the Nation’s maritime domain, also rescued 8 female victims of human trafficking and 2 drowning fishermen.
“Additionally, a sea robbery attempt was foiled within the same period.
“Specifically, on 9 July 2024, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat with 8 females aged between 18-23 years en-route the Benin Republic.
“Upon interrogation, it became obvious that they were being trafficked by a yet-to-be-identified agent.
He noted that the victims were later handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.
