The handover followed the arrest of the suspects from the merchant vessel, MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, where they were found concealed inside the ship's rudder compartment.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over five suspected stowaways to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) after they were arrested from a merchant vessel while allegedly attempting to travel illegally to India through the sea.
The handover followed the arrest of the suspects from the merchant vessel, MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, where they were found concealed inside the ship's rudder compartment.
According to a statement issued by the Naval Assistant to the Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Lieutenant AO Ajayi, the operation forms part of ongoing collaboration between security agencies to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime safety and security.
"A stowaway is a person who conceals themselves aboard a vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation," Ajayi stated.
