The Nigerian Navy has handed three suspected stowaways to the Nigerian Immigration Service after rescuing them from a merchant vessel in Lagos waters.
Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, commander of NNS Beecroft, said the men were discovered on March 28 in the rudder compartment of MT Anatolia at Dangote Terminal, Lekki.
“They had spent less than 48 hours at sea, hoping to reach Europe,” he said.
The suspects, identified as Armah Peter, 26; Amisah Daniel, 22; and Amoh Michael, 25 are Ghanaian nationals.
Investigations showed they had lived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for about a year before attempting the journey.
“They boarded the vessel from Ivorian waters with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe,” Adams-Aliu said.
He added that the men likely believed they had reached their destination when they alerted the crew, leading to their arrest.
“They thought they had arrived in Europe, but they were actually in Lagos,” he said.
The naval commander warned against illegal migration by sea.
“A stowaway conceals himself aboard a vessel to travel without authorization.
It is unlawful and extremely dangerous,” he said, noting the risks of hiding in confined spaces such as rudder compartments.
He urged parents and community leaders across West Africa to discourage such actions.
“This advice goes beyond Nigeria. It concerns the entire region,” he said.
Adams-Aliu also assured that Nigerian waters remain safe for lawful maritime activities.
“We will continue to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime territory and ensure legal operations go on unhindered,” he said.
The suspects are now in the custody of the Immigration Service and will be transferred to the Ghanaian Embassy after due process.
