By Augustine Ehikioya
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT ANATOLIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The suspects, who concealed themselves aboard a vessel with the intent of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation, were handed over on Wednesday, 1 April, 2026.
The handover, according to a statement by Commodore Aiwuyor Augustine Adams-Aliu, Commander NNS BEECROFT, forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts between security agencies to curb illegal migration and enhance maritime safety and security.
It reads “The suspects were discovered on Saturday, 28 March, 2026, concealed within the rudder compartment of the vessel while the ship was berthed at Dangote Terminal, Lagos.
“They were safely evacuated from the compartment and conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling. Initial findings identified the suspects as Armah Peter (26), Amisah Daniel (22), and Amoh Michael (25), all male nationals of Ghana.”
The statement said investigations revealed that the suspects had earlier travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they reportedly lived and engaged in fishing activities for about one year.
“Further inquiry revealed that, with the aid of a canoe, they gained access to the rudder compartment of MT ANATOLIA before the vessel departed Ivorian waters, with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe.
“After several hours at sea, believing they had arrived at their intended destination, they alerted the vessel’s crew, leading to their detection and subsequent rescue. Once again, parents, guardians, and authority figures within the society are requested to advice their youths against attempting to board sea-going vessels illegally.
‘As we can see today, this advice extends beyond Nigerian society to neighbouring countries in the west coast of Africa.
“Finally, it is pertinent to note that NNS BEECROFT, under my command, will continue to actualise the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, which is to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability,” the statement stated.
