NIGERIAN NAVY SHIP ARRESTS 8 STOWAWAYS ON BOARD A CONTAINER VESSEL HEADING TO ABIDJAN 07-11-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Beecroft has arrested eight stowaways on board a container vessel NATAL, heading to Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast.
The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga made this known at a News Conference in Apapa, Lagos.
The eight stowaways arrested while trying to run out of the country in a container vessel,NATAL, heading to Abidjan, Ivory Coast are Jerry Benjamin aged 22; Ben Tony, 19 years old; Victory Ekemele, 16 years old and 17 years old Ike Destiny.
Others are Ebuka Solomon, 25 years old; Christian Eze, aged 26 years ; 25 years old James Vincent from Edo state and 27 years old David Abamiyo, who hails from Ondo state.
Their arrest came just four weeks after 11 Nigerians were apprehended in similar circumstance onboard the Gwangzhou Highway Panama vessel going to Ghana.
The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga
noted that the arrest was made on Friday, November 3, 2023, by the patrol team of the Command following an intelligence that the eight stowaways had boarded the vessel at Lagos Anchorage, attempting to illegally exit the country through the vessel
Commodore Oguntuga described the arrest and handover of the individuals as a testament to the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to conducting its constitutional role.
According to Oguntuga, the feat also underscores the dedication of the force under the esteemed leadership of the chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to ensuring that the nation’s maritime environment is conducive for legitimate business to thrive for the economic prosperity of our nation.
One of the arrested stowaways, Jerry Benjamin, who was embarking on the highly risky and illegal journey for the second time, said he wanted a better life, as he vowed to continue trying till he succeeds.
Benjamin alleged that the first people he could have left with are in London now.
He said he had been trying hard to succeed as a marine driver, without making any headway, which was why he wanted to leave the country by all means.
Another arrested stowaway, Eze Christian, who claimed to be an indigene of Enugu state, also stated that he was looking for a way to improve his life.
He pointed out that their goal was to end up in Europe, specifically Portugal adding that it took him about two months to plan the journey. Christian further revealed that his work as a bricklayer brought him to the Island, where he saw people attempting the journey and decided to try it too.
The stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further necessary action.