Nigerian Navy intercepts three stowaways aboard Europe-bound vessel

The Nigerian Navy said it has intercepted and rescued 3 suspected stowaways aboard the merchant vas MSC STELLA (IMO No. 9279988) disconnected the Lagos Fairway Buoy.

The cognition followed credible quality received from the Western Regional Control Centre, WRCC, astatine astir 5:05 p.m. connected Sunday, 19 April 2026.

It said the Quick Response Team, QRT, of NNS BEECROFT, stationed astatine Tarkwa Bay, was instantly deployed to the vessel’s location.

“The squad successfully rescued the 3 suspects astir 5 nautical miles disconnected the Lagos coastline,” connection signed by Captain A Florunsho, Director Naval Information said.

The Navy said preliminary investigations bespeak that the suspects illegally boarded the vas astatine astir 1:00 a.m. connected Friday, 17 April 2026, portion it was berthed astatine Tin Can Island Port.

The connection added, “The individuals identified arsenic Aguru Michael (27), a nationalist of the Benin Republic; Soye Monday (25), from Ondo State; and Kentobou Peter (22), from Delta State, reportedly intended to stow distant to Europe,” it added.

It said that this caller rescue effort exemplifies the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering committedness to safeguarding lives astatine sea.

“Building connected erstwhile palmy SAR missions—such arsenic the rescue of 7 individuals aft the collision involving a Tantita Patrol vessel and ...