The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, on Wednesday, handed over three suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT ANATOLIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service in Lagos, as part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.
The suspects, identified as Armah Peter, 26; Amisah Daniel, 22; and Amoh Michael, 25, are all Ghanaian nationals.
They were discovered concealed in the rudder compartment of the vessel on Saturday, March 28, 2026, while it was berthed at Dangote Terminal, Lagos.
Handing over the suspects, Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, said the operation underscored the growing collaboration among security agencies to combat illegal migration and ensure safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He explained that the stowaways were safely evacuated from the vessel and transported to the naval base for preliminary investigation and profiling before being transferred to the NIS for further action.
According to him, the Immigration Service would, after due judicial processes, facilitate their transfer to the Ghanaian Embassy.
“A stowaway is a person who conceals himself aboard a vessel with the intent of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation. This handover reflects the Navy’s commitment to supporting inter-agency cooperation in addressing such security concerns,” Adams-Aliu said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they reportedly engaged in fishing activities for about a year before attempting to migrate illegally to Europe.
Findings further showed that the trio gained access to the vessel’s rudder compartment with the aid of a canoe before it departed Ivorian waters, stocking up on basic supplies including garri, sugar, water and biscuits.
