Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft Hands Over Two Suspected Stowaways To NIS

Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Monday handed over two suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MV SEASPAN LAHORE, to the Nigeria Immigration Service. The suspects were handed over to DSI Eneji Emmanuel Ochokpa of the Lagos Ports/Marine Command, Apapa, Lagos. For the purpose of clarity, a stowaway is a person who hides onboard a ship to travel secretly and illegally into another country without authorization.

The suspects were discovered in the early hours of Thursday, 19 March 2026, hiding within the rudder compartment of the vessel during routine security checks by NNS BEECROFT personnel while the vessel was underway around Lagos Fairway Buoy. Thereafter, they were safely extracted and brought to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation. Initial findings identified the suspects as Abdullahi Yakubu, 36 years old, (male) a repeat offender and Omoniyi Afotona, 25 years old, (male). Both individuals are believed to have gained unauthorised access to the vessel’s rudder compartment at Apapa Port prior to its departure. It is very important for parents, guardians and persons of authority within the society to educate young men and women that hiding onboard a ship to migrate from Nigeria is illegal and dangerous. Hence, Nigerian youths with migration aspirations should endeavor to use legal means of travel.

Finally, please note that NNS BEECROFT under my command, will continue to actualize the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal) 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 maintaining internal stability.