Navy Nabs 8 Stowaways Aboard Cote D’ Ivoire Bound Vessel

The Nigerian Navy Ship, Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos, has arrested eight stowaways aboard a container vessel NATAL, which was heading to Abidjan, Cote D’ Ivoire.

This occurred just four weeks after a similar arrest of 11 Nigerians from a tanker vessel, Gwangzhou Highway Panama, en route to Ghana.

The Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, explained how the stowaways were caught.

He said: “At approximately 8:40 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023, the patrol team, acting on reliable intelligence, boarded the vessel at Lagos anchorage and apprehended eight stowaways attempting to illegally exit the country through the vessel.

“The brave efforts and timely intervention of the patrol team prevented the individuals from being exposed to life-threatening situations in such confined compartments for the long voyage, as well as other security threats associated with unauthorized access to such facilities.

“Pertinently, the remarkable arrest and handover of the individuals is a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to conducting its constitutional role.