The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service, following their rescue from a merchant vessel, MT ANATOLIA, in Lagos.
The handover, which took place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, underscores ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at curbing illegal migration and strengthening maritime security across Nigeria’s territorial waters.
According to a statement by the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, the suspects were discovered on Saturday, March 28, 2026, concealed in the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Dangote Terminal in Lagos. They were subsequently evacuated safely and taken to the naval facility for preliminary investigation and profiling.
The suspects were identified as Armah Peter (26), Amisah Daniel (22), and Amoh Michael (25), all Ghanaian nationals. Preliminary findings revealed that the trio had travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they reportedly lived and worked as fishermen for about a year.
Further investigations indicated that the suspects gained access to the vessel’s rudder compartment with the aid of a canoe before the ship departed Ivorian waters. Their intention, authorities said, was to travel illegally to Europe. However, after spending several hours at sea and mistakenly believing they had reached their destination, they alerted the ship’s crew, leading to their discovery and rescue.
The Navy reiterated the dangers associated with stowing away on vessels, noting that such acts pose serious risks to life and safety. It also called on parents, guardians, and community leaders across West Africa to discourage youths from engaging in illegal migration attempts through maritime routes.
Commodore Adams-Aliu reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to the operational directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, emphasizing the Navy’s resolve to maintain a highly professional and responsive force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting national security objectives.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action.
