19 youths in stowaway to Europe despite the perils
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nineteen youths trying to stowaway to the supposed bright lights of Europe have been arrested by the crew of Nigerian Navy ship NNS BEECROFT in the push to stop illegal migration strewn with perils along the journey and at the point of destination, including likely shipwreck, incarceration, and death.
NNS BEECROFT Information Officer, Lt. Hussaini Ibrahim, disclosed in a statement on Saturday in Lagos that 15 stowaways were intercepted on December 19 onboard European bound vessel Moto Tanker, MT, KRITI RUBY and four others were picked up onboard MT MCC YANBU on December 21.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the stowaways boarded the vessels at night and concealed themselves in the rudder compartment while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe,” the statement explained.
“The Base, through its Quick Response Team (QRT) deployed at ATLAS COVE using the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, Falcon Eye Alignment, intercepted the suspected stowaways.
“This comes as a result of ongoing effort to sanitise the maritime environment of all forms of criminalities in support of the Presidential initiative to upscale the Blue Economy.”
Ibrahim said the Falcon Eye Alignment vectored NNS BEECROFT QRT which led to the interception of the 15 stowaways at Lagos fairway buoy.
That first batch of 15 was handed over on Friday to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa for further investigation and necessary action, he added.
He gave an assurance that the remaining four would be handed over as soon as possible.
Ibrahim reiterated that NNS BEECROFT under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, would continue to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks.
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