The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over nine suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT EVGENIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation and profiling.
The suspects were handed over on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Lagos, as part of ongoing interagency efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime security along Nigeria’s coastal waters.
Receiving the suspects on behalf of the NIS was Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II, Chibueze Ebuka Valentine.
The suspects were reportedly discovered on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, concealed inside the propeller compartment of MT EVGENIA. They were safely evacuated from the vessel and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Preliminary findings identified the suspects as Thompson Vincent, 23; Emmanuel Philip, 24; Tobi Olalekan, 32; Omotayo Adebowale, 43; Abdullahi Idowu, 21; Tunde Mustapha, 19; Jamiu Ismaila, 25; Ibrahim Alabi, 30; and Christian Kadiri, 22.
Further investigation indicated that the suspects allegedly boarded MT EVGENIA while it was berthed at Flour Mills Jetty, Apapa, Lagos, with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe.
A stowaway is a person who secretly boards or conceals themselves aboard a vessel or other means of transportation to travel without lawful authorisation. The Nigerian Navy warned that such journeys expose individuals to serious risks and can also create wider maritime security concerns across the West African coast.
The Navy therefore urged parents, guardians and other community leaders to discourage young people from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally, stressing that the consequences could be fatal and extend beyond Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the command would continue to support the mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to maintain a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests and supporting joint operations.
He said NNS BEECROFT would sustain collaboration with sister security agencies in tackling illegal migration, maritime crimes and other threats capable of undermining Nigeria’s maritime security and national sovereignty.