Nigerian Navy nabs 11 stowaways from Ghana-bound ship
By Matthew Atungwu
The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft on Thursday arrested 11 stowaways who had been taken into custody on a Panamanian vessel traveling the Guangzhou Highway towards Ghana.
According to the stowaways, they followed the ship out of the nation in quest of better opportunities since they believed it was bound for Europe.
Speaking to reporters on behalf of NNS Beecroft Commander Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, Lieutenant Commander Ayobami Tunde-Alli reported that the stowaways had been apprehended by the patrol crew on Tuesday night at around seven o’clock.
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Handing them over to the Nigerian Immigration Service in Apapa on Thursday, Tunde-Alli said, “In a display of exceptional vigilance, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team, while on routine patrol, successfully intercepted and apprehended some individuals on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, around 7 pm at obscured spaces of the stern gate onboard Guangzhou Highway Panama, which was en route Ghana.
“Accordingly, Western Regional Control Centre was immediately informed and prompted the vessel to halt within Lagos anchorage.
“Initially, four stowaways were apprehended from the stern of the vessel. However, information provided by these individuals revealed the presence of additional stowaways inside the ship.”
