The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft said its operatives have arrested eight suspected stowaways and rescued eight female victims of human trafficking in Nigerian waterways.
Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, said a sea robbery attempt was foiled along the Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government Area.
According to Adams-Aliu, the stowaways attempted to board two-speed boats but the patrol team of NNS Beecroft had sighted them during a patrol conducted on July 13, 2024.
He said five of the eight stowaways admitted that they wanted to travel abroad.
“In the past week, from 9–13 July 2024, Nigerian Navy units across the Nation’s maritime domain rescued 8 female victims of human trafficking, 2 drowning fishermen, and arrested 8 male stowaways,” the statement reads.
“Additionally, a sea robbery attempt was foiled within the same period. Specifically, on 9 July 2024, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base BADAGRY intercepted a wooden passenger boat with 8 females aged between 18–23 years en route to the Benin Republic
“Upon interrogation, it became obvious that they were being trafficked by a yet-to-be-identified agent. The victims were later handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.”
In another development, on 10 July 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel of Forward Operating Base IBAKA, Akwa Ibom State, intercepted suspected sea robbers attempting to rob a supply vessel along Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government Area. The robbers opened fire on own troops, prompting them to respond with heavy gunfire.
“The robbers later retreated into the creeks, and the robbery attempt was effectively foiled. Also, on 12 July 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel from Forward Operating Base LEKKI rescued 2 drowning fishermen around Lekki Anchorage Area, about 10 nautical miles from Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State. Findings revealed that the fishermen were fishing within the area when their boat capsized due to the rough sea state.“
“In a different incident, on 13 July 2024, the NIGERIAN NAVY SHIP BEECROFT patrol team arrested 8 suspected stowaways in 2 speedboats attempting to board MV NORTHERNLIGHT while underway along Lagos Channel. The incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.
“Upon interrogation, 5 suspects admitted that they attempted to board the vessel to enable them to travel abroad. The suspects and speedboats have been handed over to Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port and Marine Command for further investigation. Notably, NNS BEECROFT has so far arrested 33 stowaways between January and July 2024.”
Commodore Adams-Aliu added: “It is important to remind all operators and stakeholders within the Nation’s maritime domain that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy is poised to keep Nigerian waters safe and secure for legitimate economic activities. Consequently, nefarious elements are advised to desist from perpetuating any form of illegalities within Nigeria’s territorial waters.”
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