To eradicate the menace of stowaways in Lagos Waters, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has deployed advanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) equipment to direct Quick Response Teams (QRT) to all parts of Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The NN Director for Information, Commodore Adams Aliu in a press release disclosed that this is in line with the strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as about 75 stowaways have been apprehended from August 2023 to April 2024.
Adams Aliu stated that the NN is concerned by the increase in cases of stowaways in Nigerian waters as it is illegal, dangerous and considered a security threat to ship owners.
” During the operations, the QRT carefully extracted the stowaways who had concealed themselves inside the rudder compartment of the vessels.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 adventures ” he wrote.
