Daud Olatunji
In a high-stakes operation, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team successfully intercepted and apprehended 11 stowaways on board the Gwangzhou Highway Panama ship, which was en route to Ghana.
The daring act unfolded on Tuesday around 7 p.m. as these individuals were discovered in concealed areas of the vessel’s stern gate.
The Western Regional Control Centre (WRCC) was promptly alerted, compelling the vessel to anchor within Lagos anchorage.
The operation was under the command of Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga of the Beecroft.
Initially, four stowaways were taken into custody from the stern, but their information led to a startling revelation: there were more stowaways hidden within the ship.
After a thorough search, seven additional stowaways were discovered, raising the total to 11 individuals.
They were swiftly disembarked from the vessel and placed under custody.
The apprehended individuals have been identified as follows: Shedrack David (19 years old) from Ondo State, Godbless (30 years old) from Delta State, Ibrahim Hassan (30 years old) from Adamawa State, Solomon Francis (21 years old) from Ondo State, Bolaji Johnson (28 years old) from Ondo State, and Samsom Aimy (37 years old) from Bayelsa State.
The others are Ayefuwei Collins (27 years old) from Delta State, Ayo Gula (28 years old) from Delta State, Jolomi Daniel (23 years old) from Ondo State, Abubakar Ibrahim (19 years old) from Zamfara State, and Precious Uwalogho (30 years old) from Delta State.
The Nigerian Navy, in accordance with established protocols, has handed over these stowaways to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
This arrest and subsequent transfer serve as a crucial reminder of the Nigerian Navy’s pivotal role in maintaining maritime security and upholding the rule of law.
Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff, has demonstrated unwavering dedication to securing the country’s maritime domain, which includes addressing the challenges posed by stowaways endangering their lives at sea and threatening security.
Apart from the immediate risks faced by stowaways, their actions also raise numerous safety and security concerns.
The successful interception of these 11 individuals underscores the Navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the country’s waters and the maritime community at large.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
