Japa: 11 Europe-bound Nigerian stowaways rescued after being tortured and dumped in the sea by ship’s crew members

Officers of the Liberian Immigration Service have handed over 11 Nigerian stowaways rescued on the high sea to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The 11 Nigerians and a Cameroonian aged between 24 and 40 years arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

The stowaways are Seyi Popoola, Precious Uwalogho, Ayetimiyi Kelvin, Stephen Junior, Emmanuel Benjamin, Balogun Gbenga, Temiotan Adewale, Igiebor Stephen, Hamza John, Alfred Ese and Ogechi Chika.

According to reports, the stowaways all sneaked into the basement of Ophelia Panama, a cargo ship at Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos at about 12 midnight on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 after transporting themselves on a smaller boat to the ship.

They entered with their personal belongings and some food items, with the hope of somehow making it to any country in Europe.