The Nigerian Navy has rescued three Nigerian boat drivers who allegedly hid inside the propeller compartment of a merchant vessel in an attempt to travel illegally to Europe.
The men, identified as 30-year-old Isaiah Oyetayo, 26-year-old Goddey Samson and 28-year-old Popoola Felix, were intercepted aboard MV MAERSK CALABAR around the Fairway Buoy on the Lagos waters.
The vessel had departed Apapa Port when their presence was detected on Monday, September 14, 2026, following information received by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft.
Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwiyor Adams-Aliu, said the ship’s Quick Reaction Team stationed at Tarkwa Bay moved to intercept the vessel and safely brought the men out of the propeller compartment.
The suspects were taken to NNS Beecroft for preliminary investigation and profiling before being handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
Adams-Aliu, who was represented by the Executive Officer, NNS Beecroft, Captain Olarewaju Oginni, said preliminary findings showed that the men boarded the vessel at Apapa Port after using a canoe to gain access.
He warned that hiding inside a moving vessel posed potentially fatal risks to those attempting the journey and created safety and security concerns for the vessel and its crew.
The commander urged parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from attempting dangerous sea journeys in search of illegal migration opportunities.
Speaking after their rescue, the suspects attributed their decision to the economic difficulties they faced.
Popoola, a married father of four, said he wanted to travel abroad to secure employment, support his family and pay his children’s school fees, despite knowing that hiding inside the vessel could cost him his life.
Samson also said he embarked on the journey in search of better opportunities for himself and his family.
Isaiah said he previously worked as a passenger boat driver on the Lagos-Cotonou route but lost his livelihood after rising petrol costs reduced the business.
He said the engine of the boat he operated later developed a fault, while his employer could not afford a replacement. He subsequently decided to leave and attempted to board the vessel bound for Germany.
Isaiah said the vessel had travelled for about six hours and was approaching deeper waters when it suddenly changed course after information about the stowaways was reportedly passed to the authorities.
The Navy said the three men would be transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
Navy rescues three Nigerians hidden in ship’s propeller compartment
