According to Director of Information, Nigerian Navy Commodore A Adams-Aliu, on July 9, the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat heading to Benin Republic, carrying eight females aged between 18 and 23 years. Upon interrogation, it became evident that the women were victims of human trafficking. They were handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and an investigation is underway to identify the traffickers involved.
In another incident on July 10, personnel from the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, thwarted a sea robbery attempt along the Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government. Suspected robbers engaged the Navy troops in a firefight but retreated into the creeks after facing heavy gunfire, effectively foiling the robbery.
On July 12, Navy personnel from the Forward Operating Base in Lekki rescued two fishermen who were drowning around the Lekki Anchorage Area, approximately 10 nautical miles from the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos State. The fishermen’s boat had capsized due to rough sea conditions.
The following day, on July 13, the patrol team from the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board the MV Northernlight along the Lagos Channel. Five suspects admitted their intention to stow away on the vessel to travel abroad. The suspects and their speedboats were handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port, and Marine Command for further investigation. Notably, the NNS Beecroft has apprehended 33 stowaways between January and July 2024.
Under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Nigerian Navy continues to secure the nation’s maritime domain, urging all stakeholders to engage in legitimate economic activities and warning against any form of illegalities in Nigerian waters.
