The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways intercepted onboard the merchant vessel MV MAERSK CALABAR to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation.
The handover, conducted on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, was carried out by the Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Captain Olanrewaju Olubunmi Oginni, who represented the Commander, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu.
The suspects, identified as Isaiah Oyetayo, 30; Goddey Ajinde Samson, 26; and Popoola Felix, 28, were arrested on Monday, September 14, while the vessel was underway around the Lagos Fairway Buoy.
Following a tip off from the Western Regional Control Centre, the NNS BEECROFT Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted the vessel and safely extracted the suspects from its propeller compartment.
They were subsequently conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly boarded MV MAERSK CALABAR while the vessel was at Apapa Port on September 14. They reportedly used a canoe to access the vessel before hiding in the propeller compartment.
Their presence was discovered after the vessel got underway, prompting the intervention of the Nigerian Navy. The Navy urged parents, guardians and relevant stakeholders to discourage youths from engaging in dangerous attempts to migrate illegally by sea and to sensitise them on the risks involved.
The development also underscores the importance of continued collaboration among security agencies in tackling illegal migration and strengthening maritime safety and security within Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
Commodore Adams-Aliu, reiterated the ship’s commitment to actualising the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, by deploying a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations.
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