BY Janefrances Chibundu
The Nigerian Navy says its operatives apprehended 75 stowaways on Lagos waterways between August 2023 and April 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the navy’s director of information, said “migration as a stowaway is illegal, dangerous and a security threat” to shipowners.
Aliu said 52 stowaways were arrested between August and December 2023 at different places on Lagos waterways.
He added that 23 others were nabbed between January and April 2024, on the Lagos channel and fairway buoy.
“During the operations, the QRT carefully extracted the stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessels,” the statement reads.
“All apprehended stowaways were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols for further necessary action.
“The NN wishes to enlighten the general public on the dangers of attempting to travel as a stowaway.
“These include severe legal consequences and significant health risks such as negative effects of harsh weather conditions, lack of food and water, injuries and even death.
“Hence, the NN uses this opportunity to discourage Nigerian youths from embarking on such misadventures.”
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