Navy Hands Over Three Ghanaian Stowaways Rescued in Lagos to Immigration Authorities
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over three suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel in Lagos to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in a move aimed at strengthening efforts against illegal migration and enhancing maritime security.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on April 1, 2026, by the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu.
According to the statement, the suspects—identified as Armah Peter (26), Amisah Daniel (22), and Amoh Michael (25), all Ghanaian nationals—were discovered on March 28, 2026, hidden in the rudder compartment of MT ANATOLIA while the vessel was berthed at Dangote Terminal, Lagos.
“They were safely evacuated from the compartment and conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling,” the Navy said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio had travelled from Ghana to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where they lived and worked as fishermen for about a year before attempting to migrate illegally to Europe.
“Further inquiry revealed that, with the aid of a canoe, they gained access to the rudder compartment of MT ANATOLIA before the vessel departed Ivorian waters, with the intention of travelling illegally to Europe,” the statement noted.
The Navy added that after spending several hours at sea, the suspects mistakenly believed they had reached their destination and alerted the vessel’s crew, leading to their discovery and rescue.
Explaining the next steps, the statement said the Nigeria Immigration Service would take over the case and facilitate the transfer of the suspects to the Ghanaian Embassy following due judicial procedures.
The Navy emphasized that the handover forms part of “ongoing collaborative efforts between security agencies to curb illegal migration and enhance maritime safety and security.”
It also used the opportunity to caution youths against engaging in dangerous migration attempts. “Parents, guardians and authority figures within the society are requested to advise their youths against attempting to board sea-going vessels illegally,” the statement warned.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Commander stated that NNS BEECROFT “will continue to actualise the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff… to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.”
