The Nigerian Navy (NN) says it is deeply concerned about the increasing incidents of stowaways in Nigerian waters, as defined by the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention). In a statement sent to mikeosemekenews.com.ng by the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Commodore Adams Aliu, stowaways pose serious security threats and are engaged in illegal and perilous activities by boarding ships without authorization.
The statement goes further to say that in response, under the strategic directive of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Nigerian Navy, has deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to effectively locate and intercept stowaways across Nigeria’s territorial waters.
From August 2023 to April 2024, the NN successfully apprehended a total of 75 stowaways through the coordinated efforts of Quick Response Teams (QRT) dispatched to various locations within Nigerian waters. The details of these apprehensions, including the vessels involved and the number of stowaways intercepted each month, are meticulously documented as follows:
Serial
Date
Name of Vessel
Number of Stowaways
Location
Remarks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
1.
August 2023
MSC MARTHA
5
Lagos Channel
2.
September 2023
CHARMINAR PANAMA
8
Lagos Fairway Buoy
3.
October 2023
GWANGZHOU HIGHWAY PANAMA
11
Lagos Channel
4.
November 2023
NATAL
8
Lagos Fairway Buoy
5.
December 2023
CONTAINER VESSEL TEME
4
Lagos Channel
6.
December 2023
GRANDE GUINEA
2
Lagos Fairway Buoy
7.
December 2023
MT UOG CONSTANTINE
14
Lagos Channel
8.
January 2024
FRONT ALTIERS
3
Lagos Fairway Buoy
9.
February 2024
MT CHIP
4
Lagos Channel
10.
March 2024
MT ADVANTAGE LOVE
3
Lagos Channel
11.
March 2024
MT LYSIAS VALLETTA
9
Lagos Fairway Buoy
12.
April 2024
MT PRINCESS ERIN
4
Lagos Channel
Total August 2023 – April 2024
75
During these operations, stowaways were found concealed within the rudder compartment of vessels, highlighting the meticulous nature of the extractions carried out by the QRT. Subsequently, all apprehended stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in adherence to established protocols for further necessary actions.
It is imperative to underscore the grave risks associated with stowaway attempts. These include severe legal consequences and substantial health hazards such as exposure to harsh weather conditions, deprivation of food and water, potential injuries, and even loss of life.
Therefore, the Nigerian Navy seizes this opportunity to educate the public, particularly Nigerian youths, on the perils of engaging in such dangerous endeavors and strongly discourages any such actions.
