Navy parades five Lagos stowaways, hands suspects over to Immigration
Five stowaways who had been detained aboard the MSC Martha were displayed by the Nigerian Navy on Wednesday in Lagos.
The detained stowaways are Christian Joseph, 25, Effiong Okon, 44, Ayewuni Daniel, 27, Ajagboma Asiko, 29, and Adebanjo Ayewumi, 23. On August 26, NNS Beecroft personnel conducting a patrol detained the stowaways.
This was revealed in a statement released on Wednesday by Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, commander of NNS BEECROFT.
It read, “NNS BEECROFT’s patrol team executed a commendable operation resulting in the apprehension of five stowaways, aboard a vessel -MSC MARTHA.
“The operation was carried out on August 26, 2023, at approximately 2350 hours, following a reliable tip-off.
”Oguntuga stated that the stowaways were arrested while trying to flee the country illegally to Spain through the vessel.
He said, “Their arrest took place within the vicinity of the Lagos anchorage while they were attempting to clandestinely exit the country via the vessel to Spain.
“Found in their possession were three mobile phones, personal effects, and a cash sum of N7,900.
”He said the stowaways had been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigation.
Oguntuga said, “They were paraded today and have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration.
“The NNS BEECROFT patrol team’s swift and efficient response underscores the Navy’s dedication under the watch of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, towards maintaining the security and integrity of the country’s maritime borders. “
