Nigerian Navy Hands Over Three Suspected Stowaways to Immigration Service in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT ANATOLIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service as part of efforts to tackle illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.

The handover took place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, following the rescue and preliminary investigation of the suspects by naval personnel.

A stowaway is “a person who conceals themselves aboard a vessel with the intent of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation.”

According to the Navy, Commodore Commander, A Adams-Aliu, the suspects were discovered on Saturday, March 28, 2026, hidden inside the rudder compartment of MT ANATOLIA while the vessel was berthed at Dangote Terminal in Lagos.

Naval authorities said the men were safely evacuated from the compartment and taken to NNS BEECROFT for profiling and investigation.

Preliminary findings identified the suspects as Armah Peter, 26; Amisah Daniel, 22; and Amoh Michael, 25, all male nationals of Ghana.

Investigations further revealed that the three men had earlier travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they reportedly lived and worked as fishermen for about one year.

Navy Warns Against Illegal Sea Migration After Stowaway Rescue

The Navy said the suspects gained access to the rudder compartment of MT ANATOLIA with the aid of a canoe before the vessel departed Ivorian waters.

According to the findings, the men intended to travel 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,” the statement said.

The Navy used the occasion to warn against illegal migration through sea routes, urging parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from attempting to board sea-going vessels illegally.

“Once again, parents, guardians, and authority figures within the society are requested to advise their youths against attempting to board sea-going vessels illegally,” the statement added.

The Navy noted that the warning goes beyond Nigeria and should also apply to neighbouring countries along the West African coast.

It further reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting national security.

The statement said NNS BEECROFT would 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.”