The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, on Friday, 21 August 2026, handed over nine suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT EVGENIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
A statement by the Command said the handover forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts among security agencies to curb illegal migration and enhance maritime safety and security.”
The suspects were reportedly discovered on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, concealed within the propeller compartment of the vessel. They were safely evacuated and conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
According to the navy, the initial 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 investigations revealed that the suspects boarded MT EVGENIA while the vessel was berthed alongside Flour mills jetty Apapa with the intention of travelling to Europe illegally,” the stated added.
Commander of the NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, advised parents, guardians, and other authority figures within society to discourage youths from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally.
He further noted that the incident demonstrated the dangers associated with such acts extended beyond Nigeria, and affect other countries along the West Coast of Africa.
He also expressed commitment to continue to actualise the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), 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.
