The Nigerian Navy (NN) has announced the arrest of 75 stowaways who attempted to leave the country by hiding under the rudder of cargo ships, a dangerous and illegal practice that poses significant security and health risks.
According to the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A Adams-Aliu, the NN has been working to combat the growing problem of stowaway attempts in Nigerian waters.
Between August 2023 and April 2024, the NN arrested 75 stowaways from various vessels, including the MSC MARTHA, Charminar Panama, and Grande Guinea.
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The stowaways, who were found hidden in the rudder compartment of the vessels, were attempting to travel to destinations in Europe and other parts of the world. The NN warned that stowaway travel is illegal, dangerous, and can lead to severe legal consequences, including deportation and criminal charges.
Furthermore, stowaway travel poses significant health risks, including exposure to harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries, and even death. The NN emphasized that stowaways are often subjected to inhumane conditions and are at risk of being exploited by human traffickers.
The NN’s efforts to combat stowaway attempts are part of its strategic directive to enhance security in Nigerian waters and prevent illegal migration. The Navy has deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to detect and apprehend stowaways, and is working closely with other security agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to address the problem.
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The NN encouraged Nigerian youths to avoid attempting to travel as stowaways, citing the dangers and legal consequences of such actions. Instead, the Navy encouraged young people to explore legal and safe migration options, such as obtaining visas and traveling through official channels.
According to him, “For clarity, the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) defines a stowaway as someone who is secreted on a ship, or in cargo without the consent of the shipowners or the master or any other responsible person.
“Migration as a stowaway is illegal, dangerous and is considered a security threat to ship-owners.
“In line with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the NN deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to vector Quick Response Teams (QRT) to all parts of Nigeria’s territorial waters.
“Consequently, the NN apprehended about 75 stowaways from August 2023 to April 2024.
August 2023, Vessel, MSC MARTHA, 5 Stowaways apprehended in Lagos Channel, September 2023, Vessel Charminar Panama, 8 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy, October 2023, Vessel, Gwangzhou Highway Panama, 11 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, November 2023, Vessel, NATAL, 8 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy
In December 2023, Container Vessel Teme, 4 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, December 2023, Vessel, Grande Guinea, 2 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy, December 2023
In January 2024, Vessel, MT FRONT ALTIERS, 3 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy, February 2024, Vessel MT CHIP, 4 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, March 2024, Vessel, MT Advantage Love, 3 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel, March 2024, Vessel, MT Lysias Valleta, 9 stowaways arrested at Lagos Fairway Buoy and April 2024, Vessel MT PRINCESS ERIN, 4 stowaways arrested at Lagos Channel bringing the total to 75 between August 2023 – April 2024.
Commodore Adams-Aliu continued, “During the operations, the QRT carefully extracted the stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessels.
“All apprehended stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.
“The NN wishes to enlighten the general public on the dangers of attempting to travel as a stowaway.
“These include severe legal consequences and significant health risks such as negative effects of harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries and even death.
“Hence, the NN uses this opportunity to discourage Nigerian youths from embarking on such misadventures.”