The Nigerian Navy on Monday, September 14, arrested three stowaways hidden inside a ship propeller compartment of a merchant vessel bound for Europe around the Fairway Buoy on the Lagos waters.
The suspects, 30-year-old Isaiah Oyetayo, 26-year-old Goddey Samson and 28-year-old Felix, were discovered aboard the MV Maersk Calabar after the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft received information about their presence.
The three Nigerian boat drivers had reportedly boarded the vessel while it was at Apapa Port and used a canoe to access the ship before hiding in its propeller compartment.
Navy briefing during the handover of the suspects to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the NNS Beecroft parade ground in Apapa, Lagos, the Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwiyor Adams-Aliu, said the vessel was intercepted following a tip-off from the Western Regional Control Centre.
Represented by the executive officer of NNS Beecroft, captain Olarewaju Oginni, Adams-Aliu said the NNS Beecroft Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted the vessel and safely extracted the suspects from the propeller compartment.
He said the suspects were subsequently taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation and profiling.
According to him, further investigation revealed that the suspects boarded the MV Maersk Calabar at Apapa Port before concealing themselves in the propeller compartment.
He said their presence was discovered after the vessel got underway, leading to the intervention of the Navy.
The commander said the incident highlighted the serious risks associated with unauthorised access to seagoing vessels, particularly for people attempting to migrate illegally.
He warned that individuals who conceal themselves onboard vessels in pursuit of illegal migration expose themselves to potentially life-threatening conditions while creating safety and security concerns for vessels and their crews.
Adams-Aliu called on parents, guardians and other authority figures to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous acts and sensitise them to the risks associated with attempting to travel illegally by sea.
He added that the dangers involved could have wider implications for maritime safety and security across the West African sub-region.
He further said NNS Beecroft would continue to support the chief of the Naval staff , vice admiral Idi Abbas, in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing to joint operations aimed at defending national sovereignty and maintaining internal stability.
The suspects, all boat drivers, blamed their actions on hardship and their desire to seek better opportunities abroad.
Popoola, who said he is married with four children, admitted that he knew the journey could cost him his life.
He said he wanted to travel to find a better life, earn money, pay his children’s school fees and support his family.
Samson also said he decided to embark on the journey because he wanted a better life for himself and his family.
Isaiah, the third suspect, said he previously operated a passenger boat between Lagos and Cotonou but lost his source of livelihood after the business declined.
He said the increase in petrol prices led to a drop in business, while the engine of the boat he operated later developed a fault.
Isaiah said he asked his employer to replace the engine but was told there was no money to do so, prompting him to leave the company.
He said he later decided to travel to Germany in search of employment and a better life.
Isaiah recalled that the ship had already been at sea for about six hours and was approaching deep waters when it suddenly changed course.
He said the suspects later realised that someone had informed the authorities about their presence aboard the vessel, leading to the Navy’s intervention.
The Nigerian Navy said the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
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