Nigeria Navy arrests eight stowaways, rescues eight trafficked victims
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA-ONIFADE
Operatives of the Nigeria Navy have arrested eight suspected stowaways.
The Navy Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.
He said, the patrol team of NNS Beecroft sighted them during a patrol conducted on Saturday, July 2024.
The Naval Director added that, upon interrogation, five of the eight suspects admitted that they wanted to travel abroad.
He also noted that eight female trafficked victims and two drowning fishermen were rescued.
“Additionally, a sea robbery attempt was foiled within the same period.
“Specifically, on July 9, 2024, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat with 8 females aged between 18-23 years en-route the Benin Republic.
“Upon interrogation, it became obvious that they were being trafficked by a yet-to-be-identified agent.
He noted that the victims were later handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.
