The Nigerian Navy Ship (BEECROFT) has arrested five stowaways caught onboard MT CHEMSTRANS BALTIC vessel at Lagos anchorage.
In a signed statement, the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Commodore Bashir Mohammed, said that the stowaways were arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 30 and had been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service.
“Findings during the interrogation revealed that MT CHEMSTRANS BALTIC was Europe bound.
“The suspects had gained illegal access to the ship but were caught by the crew and handed over to Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT’s patrol team during routine Harbour patrol,” he said.
Mohammed said that the stowaways were between the ages of 23 years and 27 years and hailed from different parts of the country.
“Two came from Enugu while one came from Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States accordingly.
“The suspects confessed that they travelled to Lagos with the intention of leaving the country for Europe in search of greener pasture before they were apprehended,” the Commodore said.
Mohammed advised Nigerians to always follow due process of migration to avoid being sanctioned and commended the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT’s patrol team.
He further conveyed the Chief of Naval Staff’s commitment towards supporting the Nigerian Immigration Service and other Maritime stakeholders in curbing crimes within the maritime environment.
