According to foreign media reports, the Nigerian Navy recently discovered five unidentified individuals hiding in the steering gear compartment of a merchant ship in Lagos.
After an investigation, Nigerian authorities confirmed that these unidentified men were attempting to stow away to India without valid travel documents.
After completing the investigation of these individuals, the Nigerian Navy Ship “NNS BEECROFT” handed them over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Monday local time for further processing.
According to the investigation, these men were discovered by crew members on the cargo ship “MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS” when it was docked at Tin Can Island Port. The crew reported the situation immediately after discovering it.
It is understood that the steering gear compartment is an important part of the stern structure, usually located below the upper deck at the aft end of the ship. It is specifically used to install key equipment such as the steering gear, steering mechanism, and emergency steering device, and is the core area for controlling the ship’s course.
The steering gear compartment on a ship is a very small and enclosed space that cannot accommodate personnel inside.
There is no food, water, or other supplies in the steering gear compartment, and the voyage from Lagos to India, even via the shortened route through the Suez Canal, takes approximately three weeks. It is difficult to imagine how five people could survive in such an environment.
The Nigerian Navy subsequently confirmed the identities of the five men as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Jude (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).
Nigerian Navy Assistant, Deputy Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship “NNS BEECROFT,” AO Ajayi, told the media that this handover is part of broader cooperation among security agencies to curb illegal immigration.
Currently, the five men have been safely evacuated from the ship and taken to the naval base for identification, after which they will be transferred to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further processing.
Commander of the Nigerian Naval Base, Commodore Ewuyor Adams Ali, called on parents, guardians, and community leaders in Nigeria to educate local youth about the dangers and illegality of illegally boarding ships to stow away.
Compiled and organized by Shipping Online
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