The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT ANATOLIA, to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
In a statement issued by NN’s spokesman, Commodore Commander Aiwuyor Adam’s-Alia on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, the Navy said the handover underscores ongoing inter-agency collaboration aimed at curbing illegal migration and strengthening maritime security.
A stowaway is defined as an individual who secretly boards a vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation.
The suspects were discovered on Saturday, 28 March 2026, hidden in the rudder compartment of the vessel while it was berthed at Dangote Terminal in Lagos. They were safely evacuated and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Initial findings identified the suspects as Armah Peter (26), Amisah Daniel (22), and Amoh Michael (25), all Ghanaian nationals. Investigations revealed that the trio had travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they lived and worked as fishermen for about a year. They reportedly gained access to the vessel’s rudder compartment with the aid of a canoe before it departed Ivorian waters, intending to travel illegally to Europe.
After spending several hours at sea and believing they had reached their destination, the suspects reportedly alerted the ship’s crew, leading to their discovery and rescue.
The Navy used the opportunity to caution parents, guardians, and community leaders across West Africa to discourage youths from attempting to board vessels illegally, noting the significant risks involved in such actions.
The statement reaffirmed that NNS BEECROFT will continue to support the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to maintain a highly professional and responsive naval force committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting national security operations.
