The Nigerian Navy reported on Tuesday that its patrol team, NNS Beecroft, made significant arrests and rescues between July 9 and July 13, 2024.
The operations led to the arrest of eight stowaways, the rescue of eight victims of human trafficking, and the saving of two fishermen from drowning.
On July 13, 2024, the NNS Beecroft patrol team arrested eight stowaways in two speedboats. The suspects were trying to board the MV Northernlight while it was navigating the Lagos Channel. Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, explained the situation: “The incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.”
Upon questioning, five of the suspects admitted that they were trying to board the vessel to travel abroad. The stowaways and their boats have been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port, and Marine Command for further investigation. Commodore Adams-Aliu noted, “NNS Beecroft has so far arrested 33 stowaways between January and July 2024.”
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On July 9, 2024, the Nigerian Navy’s Quick Response Team from the Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat carrying eight young women. The women, aged between 18 and 23 years, were en route to Benin Republic. “Upon interrogation, it became obvious that they were being trafficked by a yet-to-be-identified agent,” said Commodore Adams-Aliu. The victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and investigations to find the traffickers are ongoing.
On July 10, 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel from Forward Operating Base IBAKA in Akwa Ibom State thwarted a sea robbery attempt. The suspects were trying to rob a supply vessel along the Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government Area. When the robbers fired at the Navy personnel, the troops responded with heavy gunfire, causing the robbers to retreat into the creeks. The robbery attempt was successfully stopped.
On July 12, 2024, personnel from Forward Operating Base LEKKI rescued two fishermen from drowning near the Lekki Anchorage Area, approximately 10 nautical miles from the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State. The fishermen’s boat had capsized due to rough sea conditions while they were fishing in the area.
Commodore Adams-Aliu highlighted the Navy’s ongoing commitment to maritime security and rescue operations. “In the past week, Nigerian Navy units across the Nation’s maritime domain have been actively engaged in safeguarding lives and maintaining order in our waters,” he said.