By EUGENE AGHA

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft has arrested 97 suspected stowaways onboard different foreign merchant ships that are in the country to discharge cargos in the last one year.

The suspects were about traveling illegally to different European countries before they were intercepted.

Three of the suspects were arrested on Saturday, July 26, 2021, onboard MT SCF ALPHINE around the Lagos Anchorage.

The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Bashir Mohammed, while handing over the three of the suspects to officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service, said the arrest is part of efforts by the Nigerian Navy to rid the nation’s maritime space of all illegalities including human trafficking.

Commodore Mohammed revealed that the base pro-activeness and robust patrols in the last 12 months led to the arrests of 97 stowaways across Lagos waters and that all of them have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Services.

He said: “Relatedly, on Saturday, July 26, 2021 the Base Patrol team arrested three suspected stowaways onboard MT SCF ALPHINE around the Lagos anchorage.

“Preliminary investigations by the base revealed that all the stowaways accessed the vessel with the intention of illegally migrating to Europe.

“In line with the Standard Operating Procedure, the suspected stowaways were on Tuesday 29 June 2021 handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Services which was witnessed by the Nigerian Ports Authority Security Team represented by Mr. Bukar Kaumi.”

The Commander Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, also reiterated the commitment of the Base to securing Nigeria’s territorial waters in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo’s Strategic Directive of 2021-5.

He said as partners for a safe maritime environment, members of the public especially host communities are enjoined to kindly furnish the base with credible information to assist in curbing the activities of criminal elements and economic saboteurs. (Daily Trust)

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