NNS BEECROFT Command Extracts, Apprehends Stowaways Aboard Container Vessel TEME EXPRESS

The vigilant patrol team from the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT executed a successful extraction operation, apprehending four stowaways found aboard the Container Vessel TEME EXPRESS on Monday, November 13, 2023, while it was en route to Dubai.

Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga, the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, revealed that upon receiving intel from the Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment, tactical teams were dispatched to the vessel at Lagos Anchorage. Upon boarding, movements were detected within the rudder compartment, prompting the team to swiftly extract the stowaways.

The four identified stowaways: Ebi Agrive (22 years old) from Bayelsa state, Lucky Amusu (23 years old) from Lagos state, Goodness Edu (28 years old) from Akwa Ibom, and Micheal Daniel (18 years old) from Ondo state, were found with provisions, including a bag of snacks and sachet water. They were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) following established protocols.

Commander Oguntuga emphasized the risks posed by such stowaway actions, endangering themselves during the prolonged sea voyage and posing security threats to the vessel’s crew, thereby tarnishing the nation’s image.

This apprehension and subsequent handover underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment, under the leadership of Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, in ensuring comprehensive maritime security for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.