9 Persons Attempting To Enter Europe illegally By Ship Arrested By The Nigerian Navy.

the 9 stowaway

With the hope for a better life in Europe, nine Nigeria nationals and a Nigerien stowaway were apprehended by a joint effort of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS and the Nigerian Navy, NV.


According to The Nation, the 10 stowaway were on board two Merchant Vessels, MV MSC PAOLA and MV MAERSK CHANNIA which the migrants thought was departing for Holland.

Some of the migrants,  Orire Popoola, Kelvin Wessey, Erukudami Moses, Odiyeye Abiye, Agba Victor were discovered on Monday during a routine patrol by Naval staffs, while Odogwu Michael, Kelly Onikan, Pope Ekele, Asumah Ukpere and Wessem Nasuru were caught by officers of the NIS.

The suspects admitting their crime, explained that they gained entrance into the ship with the assistance of fishermen with the intention of remaining undetected until arrival in European soil, they however were unaware that the cruise only sailed within the shores of West Africa.

Addressing newsmen, the Lagos Seaport and Marine Comptroller, Modupe Anyalechi, read out the names of the suspects and reiterated that the authority works very hard to secure the water route.

When some of the suspects were interviewed, they all attributed their act to the hardship in Nigeria.
One of whom is an artist said he was not making any progress in his career and was willing to risk his life in a bid to reach Europe.