The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday handed over three suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service in Lagos, following their rescue from a merchant vessel as part of efforts to curb illegal migration.
The suspects, identified as Armah Peter (26), Amisah Daniel (22) and Amoh Michael (25), all Ghanaian nationals, were discovered concealed in the rudder compartment of MT ANATOLIA on March 28, 2026. The vessel was berthed at Dangote Terminal in Lagos when the discovery was made.
Commanding Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, said the interception highlighted improved collaboration among security agencies in tackling maritime threats.
He explained that the suspects were safely evacuated from the vessel and taken to the naval base for preliminary screening before being transferred to immigration authorities for further processing.
According to Adams-Aliu, the Immigration Service would, after completing necessary legal procedures, facilitate their repatriation through the Ghanaian diplomatic mission.
Preliminary findings indicated that the trio had travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, where they engaged in fishing activities for about a year before attempting to migrate irregularly to Europe.
Investigations further revealed that they boarded the vessel through its rudder compartment with the aid of a canoe prior to its departure from Ivorian waters, carrying basic supplies such as food and water for the journey.
One of the suspects said they undertook the risky trip in search of better economic prospects, believing the vessel was bound for destinations in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Canada or Spain.
Another disclosed that financial constraints prevented them from securing travel documents, prompting the decision to attempt the illegal route.
The third suspect described the experience as dangerous and expressed regret, cautioning others against similar actions.
The stowaways were eventually detected after emerging from their hiding place, assuming the vessel had reached its destination, prompting the crew to alert authorities.
The Navy reiterated its appeal to parents and community leaders across the West African sub-region to discourage youths from engaging in unsafe migration through maritime routes.
Adams-Aliu reaffirmed the commitment of the Navy to maritime security, in line with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to maintain a professional force capable of protecting Nigeria’s waters and supporting internal security operations.
