The Nigerian Navy intercepted and arrested 67 stowaways attempting to leave the country on foreign-bound vessels in 2024, former Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, revealed on Thursday.
Speaking at his send-off parade at the NNS BEECROFT parade ground in Apapa, Lagos, Oladejo highlighted the Navy’s achievements in tackling maritime crimes, including the most recent arrest of eight stowaways found aboard MSC KATYANI on January 20, 2025.
He further disclosed that in 2024, the base seized and handed over 265 bags of cannabis sativa to relevant authorities. The intercepted contraband included 193 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 7,720kg in Badagry (March 2024) and 72 bags weighing 2,880kg in Ilashe (October 2024).
“Additionally, over 18 large wooden boats carrying foreign parboiled rice, petroleum products, and other contraband were seized and handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies,” Oladejo stated.
The Base also recently carried out a search and rescue operation for MV MAMALUCK offshore Lekki on January 29, 2025.
During the official handing-over ceremony at the NNS BEECROFT conference room, Oladejo reaffirmed that naval operations would continue to align with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla’s strategic directive for 2023-2026.
The newly appointed Base Commander, Commodore Paul Nimmyel, vowed to sustain and intensify the Navy’s fight against sea robbery, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, smuggling, and stowaway activities.
“To those engaging in illegal maritime activities, I strongly advise you to stay out of trouble. We are intensifying efforts against sea piracy and all forms of maritime crime in our area of operations,” Nimmyel warned.
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