By Uzor Odigbo
Operatives of the Lagos Seaports and Marine Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), have arrested five suspected stowaways including an Edo State female.
The Edo lady simply identified as Mercy Osayomwanbor was with with four other suspects aboard MT Idi. The five suspected stowaways are Nigerians.
According to a statement made available to the Theniche on Friday, the arrest was effected on board a tanker at about 0206 hours on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 .
The statement quoted the Command’s Controller, Comptroller Olubusola Fashakin, as saying that the arrest was made possible through a tip off by the master of the vessel about 156 nautical miles off Lagos shoreline.
She noted that the initial report had it that two of the suspects were aboard the said vessel which was enroute Las Palmas, Spain.
Fashakin said upon rummaging, the personnel discovered five stowaways inside the rubber trunk of the vessel.
The Comptroller added that the arrest provides an opportunity for the service to counsel the stowaways.