The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, has handed over two suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after they were rescued from a merchant vessel along the Lagos waterways.
The suspects were transferred Monday by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT to officials of the Immigration Service at the Lagos Ports/Marine Command in Apapa for further investigation.
The commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Adams Aliyu, Tuesday, in Lagos, said the two men were discovered in the early hours of March 19 while hiding inside the rudder compartment of a merchant ship identified as MV Seaspan Lahore during routine maritime security checks around the Lagos Fairway buoy.
“The vessel was already underway when the hidden individuals were detected.
“The suspects were safely removed from the compartment and taken to the naval base for preliminary questioning. They were later identified as Abdullahi Yakubu, 36, described as a repeat offender, and Omoniyi Afotona, 25.
“Initial findings suggested both men secretly boarded the ship at Apapa Port before its departure,” he stated.