Stowaway incidents on Nigeria’s waterways have declined by 40 percent over the past year, a reduction credited to strengthened collaboration between the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Navy. This was disclosed by Commodore Paul Nimmyel, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, during a high-level simulation exercise in Lagos that concluded a three-day regional workshop on maritime border security and counter-terrorism.
“We’ve reduced it by about 40 percent. It used to be quite high,” Nimmyel said, highlighting not just enforcement but community outreach efforts to educate citizens on the dangers of illegal migration. He explained that most stowaways are unaware of vessel destinations and face severe risks during these clandestine journeys. Those intercepted, he said, are documented, handed to immigration authorities, and given orientation to discourage repeat attempts.
Nimmyel also stressed the Navy’s proactive role in maritime security and inter-agency partnerships involving the Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, and NAFDAC. These collaborations, he said, are critical in combating illegal migration and broader maritime threats.
The simulation exercise at NNS Beecroft demonstrated the interception of a vessel, MT Majesty, by Nigerian Navy Ship BB Katsina in a coordinated operation with the NIS. It featured the discovery and extraction of stowaways from concealed compartments and showcased operational techniques for combating increasingly sophisticated evasion tactics. The event formed the climax of the Gulf of Guinea regional workshop, which hosted delegates from over 10 West and Central African countries.
Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, Muhammed Umar, noted that the workshop was part of a larger initiative with the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) aimed at strengthening maritime domain security and countering criminal activity at sea. He emphasized the historical collaboration between the Navy and NIS in areas such as border protection, intelligence sharing, and passenger clearance, guided by principles of cooperation and joint operations.
Despite challenges such as limited resources, Umar underscored the agency’s capabilities, including patrol boats and surveillance infrastructure, to ensure maritime operational efficiency. NIS officials disclosed that many recent stowaways were West Africans posing as fishermen, often concealing themselves in radar rooms or steering gear compartments. Officers are now equipped with multilingual training to manage cases complicated by language barriers.
Rather than immediate detention, stowaways are profiled at designated centres to determine their identity, intent, and origin. However, individuals found with weapons are prosecuted under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act.
Steven Amole, aide to the NIS Comptroller General, described the workshop as a milestone for West and Central Africa, commending Nigeria’s role in hosting the event. He cautioned that while terrorism has yet to breach regional waters, issues such as oil theft, human smuggling, and illegal bunkering signal a need for urgent preventive measures.
The workshop concluded with a guided tour of Apapa Seaport, including a visit to APM Terminals where officials highlighted ongoing logistics upgrades and expansion toward Cameroon to alleviate congestion in Lagos. As participants departed, they reaffirmed their commitment to regional maritime security, inspired by Nigeria’s growing leadership in addressing evolving maritime threats.
