The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, on Wednesday handed over three suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service, after being found onboard the merchant vessel, MV MAERSK CALABAR.
The Commander NNS Beecroft, Cmdre Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said that the suspects were arrested on Monday, 14 September 2026, while the vessel was underway around Lagos Fairway Buoy.
In a handing over exercise, Cmdre Adams-Aliu, represented by the Executive Officer, Capt. Olanrewaju Oginni, said the handover underscored the continued collaboration among security agencies to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime safety and security.at the NNS Beecroft,
The Commander disclosed that: “The NNS BEECROFT Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay had worked with an intelligence report from the Western Regional Control Centre, and was able to intercept the vessel, and safely extracted the suspects from its propeller compartment. They were subsequently conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.”
The suspects were identified as Isaiah Oyetayo (30), Goddey Ajinde Samson (26), and Popoola Felix (28). Further investigation revealed that the suspects boarded MV MAERSK CALABAR on Monday, 14 September 2026, while the vessel was at Apapa Port.
They reportedly used a canoe to access the vessel before hiding in the propeller compartment. Their presence was discovered after the vessel got underway, leading to the intervention by the NNS BEECROFT.
Condemning the development, the Commander said : “The incident highlights the serious risks associated with unauthorised access to seagoing vessels. Individuals who conceal themselves onboard vessels in an attempt to embark on illegal migration expose themselves to potentially life-threatening conditions, while also posing significant safety and security concerns to the vessels, their crews and maritime operations.”
He called on parents, guardians and other relevant authorities to discourage youths from engaging in such dangerous acts and to sensitise them on the risks associated with attempting to travel illegally by sea.
He also stated that “These dangers are not limited to Nigeria, as such incidents could have broader implications for maritime safety and security across the West African sub-region.”
The Commander reiterated the navy’s commitment 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.
