The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT, has handed over three suspected stowaways arrested aboard the merchant vessel, MV MAERSK CALABAR, to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action.
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The handover followed an operation by the Navy after the suspects were discovered aboard the vessel while it was underway around the Lagos Fairway Buoy on September 14, 2026.
Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said the naval formation acted after receiving information from the Western Regional Control Centre, which prompted the deployment of the NNS BEECROFT Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay.
The naval team intercepted the vessel and extracted the three suspects from its propeller compartment, after which they were taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
The suspects were identified as Isaiah Oyetayo, 30; Goddey Ajinde Samson, 26; and Popoola Felix, 28.
According to the Navy’s preliminary findings, the three men allegedly gained access to MV MAERSK CALABAR while it was at Apapa Port on September 14.
They were said to have used a canoe to reach the merchant vessel before concealing themselves inside the propeller compartment in an apparent attempt to travel aboard the ship without authorisation.
Their presence was subsequently discovered after the vessel had commenced its voyage, leading to the intervention of NNS BEECROFT and their arrest.
Following preliminary investigation by the Navy, the suspects were transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service, which is expected to conduct further investigation and take any necessary action.
Commodore Adams-Aliu warned that attempts to hide aboard seagoing vessels exposed suspected stowaways to potentially fatal conditions and also created safety and security concerns for ships, their crews and other maritime personnel.
He urged parents, guardians and other authority figures to discourage young people from embarking on irregular migration through such dangerous means.
According to him, unauthorised access to commercial vessels could have implications beyond the personal safety of those involved, potentially affecting wider maritime safety and security across the West African sub-region.
The Commander also reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to supporting the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, by maintaining maritime security and protecting Nigeria’s maritime interests.
He said the naval formation would continue to participate in joint operations aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and supporting internal stability.
The Navy said the operation further demonstrated the importance of collaboration between maritime security agencies in preventing unauthorised access to commercial vessels and combating irregular migration by sea.
The cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Immigration Service is also expected to strengthen efforts to keep Nigeria’s maritime domain safe for legitimate commercial activities.
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