Navy arrests four stowaways ‘hiding inside rudder compartment’ of Dubai-bound ship

The Nigerian Navy has arrested four stowaways who were trying to illegally leave the country on board a container vessel, TEME Express, en route Dubai, UAE.

They were arrested on Monday, November 13, by the NNS BEECROFT team during a patrol at the Lagos anchorage.

The Navy’s Base Information Officer, Sub-Lieutenant H. A. Collins, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday, November 15.

According to the statement, the ship’s commander Kolawole Oguntuga, disclosed that the stowaways were found inside the rudder compartment of the vessel with bags of snacks and satchet water.

“Tactical teams were dispatched to the vessel at Lagos Anchorage, sequel to receiving information from the maritime domain awareness facility.

Upon arrival, the teams noticed movements inside the rudder compartment, consequently, the teams boarded the ship, located and extracted the four stowaways.

The stowaways were found with a bag filled with snacks and another polybag containing sachet water.

They have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with established protocol.

Apart from the stowaways putting themselves in a life-thr£atening situation, especially as they were in a confined space for an extended duration, they also present myriad security thr£ats to the crew with dire consequences on the nation’s image,” the statement reads in part.