The Nigerian Navy said its operatives rescued eight victims of human trafficking, stopped two fishermen from drowning while they also apprehended eight male stowaways in operations across the country.

Unknown to the suspects, the patrol team of NNS Beecroft had sighted them during a patrol conducted on July 13, 2024.

With the latest arrest, NNS Beecroft which is in Lagos has so far apprehended 33 stowaways between January and July.

From the statement issued by Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the Director of Naval Information, disclosed that five of the eight suspects admitted that they wanted to travel abroad.

He said, “NNS Beecroft on July 13, 2024, arrested eight suspected stowaways in two speedboats attempting to board MV Northernlight while underway along Lagos Channel.

“The incident occurred when the patrol team sighted the suspects attempting to board the vessel through its rudder compartment.

“The suspects and speed boats have been handed over to Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port and Marine Command for further investigation.

Similarly, Adams-Aliu said upon interrogation, the five suspects admitted that they attempted to board the vessel to enable them to travel abroad.

He further explained that eight female trafficked victims and two drowning fishermen were rescued.

Adams-Aliu said, “In the past week, from 9-13 July 2024, Nigerian Navy units across the Nation’s maritime domain, also rescued 8 female victims of human trafficking and 2 drowning fishermen.

“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.