The Nigerian Navy says it rescued 8 female victims of human trafficking, 2 drowning fishermen and arrested 8 male stowaways between July 9-13 this year.
Details are contained in a statement by the spokesman Commodore Adams Aliu which also says a sea robbery attempt was foiled within the same period.
It says the Quick Response Team of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry intercepted a wooden passenger boat with 8 females aged between 18 and 23 en-route to Benin Republic – set to be trafficked by a yet to be identified agent.
The victims were handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP while further investigation to identify the agent and trafficking syndicate is ongoing.
The statement says in another development, on 10 July 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel of Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State intercepted suspected sea robbers attempting to steal from a supply vessel along Uyenghe River in Mbo Local Government.
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A gun battle ensued and the robbers later retreated into the creeks and the robbery attempt was effectively foiled.
On 12 July 2024 Nigerian Navy personnel from Forward Operating Base Lekki rescued 2 drowning fishermen around Lekki Anchorage Area, about 10 nautical miles from Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Findings revealed that the men were fishing within the area when their boat capsized due to choppy waters
While on July 13 2024, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team arrested 8 suspected stowaways in 2 speedboats attempting to board the vessel MV Northern Light along Lagos Channel.
Upon interrogation, 5 suspects admitted that they attempted to board the vessel travel as a means to get out of the country.
The suspects and speedboats have been handed over to Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Port and Marine Command for further investigation.
The statement says this incident brings the number of stowaways arrested by NNS Beecroft this year to 33.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
