The Ghana Navy on Friday apprehended ten Nigerian nationals who had secretly boarded the Panamanian-flagged merchant vessel Grand Venus, following a distress call from the ship’s captain.
The dramatic interception took place off the coast of Tema after the captain reported suspicious activity on board while the vessel was at sea.
According to a statement released by the Ghana Armed Forces on Monday, the distress call was made from a position at latitude 05°34’ North and longitude 000°05’ East, prompting the swift deployment of Ghana Navy Ship Yogaga Ba to the scene.
Upon arrival, naval officers discovered the group of stowaways who had concealed themselves aboard the vessel, which had departed Lagos Port in Nigeria days earlier.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had managed to sneak onto the Grand Venus undetected while it was docked at Lagos, likely in search of passage to another destination.
Stowaway incidents of this kind are not uncommon in West African waters, where individuals — often driven by economic hardship — attempt to flee their home countries aboard commercial ships, risking their lives in cramped, unsafe conditions.
The Ghana Navy escorted the vessel to the main harbour in Tema, where the ten individuals were handed over to Port Control, the Ghana Immigration Service, and the Marine Police for further questioning.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the stowaways gained access to the restricted port area and whether any crew members were complicit.
The Navy has assured the public that it remains committed to safeguarding Ghana’s territorial waters and maritime security.
It also noted that further details would be released as the investigation continues.
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