The Nigerian Navy has intercepted and rescued three suspected stowaways aboard a merchant vessel, MSC STELLA, off the Lagos Fairway Buoy, in a continued effort to strengthen maritime security and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT, following credible intelligence received from the Western Regional Control Centre (WRCC) at about 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Naval authorities disclosed that acting swiftly on the information, a Quick Response Team (QRT) stationed at Tarkwa Bay was immediately deployed to the vessel’s location, leading to the successful interception approximately five nautical miles off the Lagos coastline.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had illegally boarded the vessel in the early hours of Friday, April 17, while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
The suspects were identified as Aguru Michael, 27; Soye Monday, 25; and Kentobou Peter, 22.
Sources said the trio intended to stow away to Europe in search of better opportunities, a risky and illegal practice that continues to pose serious safety and security concerns within the maritime domain.

The Navy noted that the successful interception underscores its sustained vigilance and operational readiness in tackling illegal migration and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
The latest operation adds to a series of successful SAR missions conducted by the Navy in recent months. These include the rescue of seven individuals following a collision involving a Tantita patrol boat and a wooden vessel in Bayelsa State, as well as the rescue and handover of three foreign stowaways aboard MT ANATOLIA in March 2026.
According to naval authorities, these efforts reflect the service’s robust operational tempo and its strategic role in ensuring safety and security across Nigeria’s maritime environment.
The rescued suspects are currently in custody at NNS BEECROFT, where they are undergoing further investigation and administrative processing in line with established laws and procedures.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives at sea and maintaining effective surveillance across the country’s waterways. It also reiterated its resolve to combat irregular migration and other illegal activities, while urging members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.