The Nigerian Navy Ship, Beecroft patrol team has intercepted 11 stowaways on board Gwangzhou Highway Panama ship en route Ghana.
The Base Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Sub-Lieutenant HA Collins, who made this known in a statement on Thursday obtained by SaharaReporters, said that the team while on routine patrol on Tuesday, intercepted and arrested the 11 stowaways at about 7pm at obscured spaces of the stern gate onboard Gwangzhou Highway Panama which was en route Ghana.
She stated that Western Regional Control Center (WRCC) was immediately informed and prompted the vessel to halt within Lagos anchorage.
The navy under Commander Beecroft, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, added that four stowaways were first arrested from the stern of the vessel but information provided by the four stowaways revealed the presence of additional stowaways inside the ship.
“Following a comprehensive search, an astonishing four more stowaways were uncovered within the ship, bringing the total to 11 stowaways who were promptly disembarked from the vessel and taken into custody.”
Collins identified the arrested stowaways to include 19-year-old Shedrack David, from Ondo State; 30-year-old Emmanuel Godbless from Delta State; 30-year-old Ibrahim Hassan from Adamawa State; 21-year-old Solomon Francis from Ondo State; 28-year-old Bolaji Johnson from Ondo State and 37-year-old Samsom Aimy from Bayelsa State.
Others are 27-year-old Ayefuwei Collins from Delta State; 28-year-old Ayo Gula from Delta State; 23-year-old Jolomi Daniel from Ondo State; 19-year-old Abubakar Ibrahim from Zamfara State and 30-year-old Precious Uwalogho from Delta State.
“They have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols.
“Apart from the stowaways putting themselves in life threatening situations during the long voyage at sea, they also present a myriad of safety and security challenges.
“Accordingly, this arrest and handover by the patrol team is an essential reminder of the critical role the Nigerian Navy plays in ensuring maritime security as well as upholding the rule of law which underscores the Navy’s unwavering dedication under the watch of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, towards maintaining the security of the country’s maritime domain.”
The story lifted from the Sahara reporters news
PIONEER NEWS 