The Nigerian Navy apprehended eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board the MV Northern Light while it was underway along the Lagos Channel.
Director of Naval Information, Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, announced on Tuesday that five of the suspects admitted they intended to travel abroad. The patrol team from NNS Beecroft detected the stowaways during a routine patrol on July 13, 2024, bringing the total number of stowaways caught this year to 33.
“NNS Beecroft, on July 13, 2024, arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV Northern Light while underway along Lagos Channel,” the statement read. “The incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects trying to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.”
The suspects and their speedboats have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port, and Marine Command for further investigation.
In related news, the Nigerian Navy units rescued eight female victims of human trafficking and two drowning fishermen across the nation’s maritime domain last week. Additionally, a sea robbery attempt was thwarted during the same period.
“On July 9, 2024, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat with eight females aged between 18-23 years en route to the Benin Republic,” Adams-Aliu stated. “Upon interrogation, it became evident they were being trafficked by an unidentified agent.”
The rescued victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation to identify the trafficking syndicate.
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