Nine young Nigerian adults attempting to stowaway to Europe were received by the Nigeria Immigration Service, MMIA, Lagos Command.
The nine between the ages of 21-30, planned to stowaway through The Gambia sea via irregular migration were received on Tuesday.
According to reports after being spotted by the captain the stowaways jumped into the sea to escape capture, however, two of them could not swim.
They were eventually rescued from drowning and taken to the Nigeria High Commission in The Gambia who immediately processed emergency travel documents for them to be repatriated to Nigeria, despite their reluctance to return into the country.
The stowaways were brought back to Nigeria onboard Asky Airlines via Lome, Togo.
Mrs. Adesola Adesokan, the Comptroller, NIS, MMIA Command, who received them advised Nigerians, especially against irregular migration to Europe, describing such as a deathtrap.
Adesokan explained that the nine stowaways were handed over to the MMIA Command by the officials of the Gambian immigration service.
She said: “Nine Nigerians were sent back from The Gambia by immigration officers for attempted stowaway in the high sea and two of them almost lost their lives in the process because when they were discovered. They attempted to escape and jumped into the high sea. Unfortunately for them, two of them could not swim.
“The captain of the ship had to get in touch with the country that is within the neighborhood for the rescue mission. The security officers were able to quickly rescue them, put them in the boat and took them to a hotel where they were given food.
“They (stowaways) were very resistant and refused to return to Nigeria. In fact, they were still demanding money from the immigration service there before they could return to Nigeria. They were eventually taken to the Nigeria High Commission in The Gambia, which persuaded them and issued them emergency travel documents to aid bring them back to Nigeria through the MMIA.â€
She also appealed to such irregular travelers to desist from it and follow the right channel of travels to any country of their choice.
“We need to change our mentality. When they get there illegally, the first thing is they will begin to hide and when they are caught, they will be deported. Even when they are not caught, they go there to do odd jobs that they cannot be proud of doing to their friends and family members.
Abdul Yakubu, one of the stowaways, alleged that he was selling noodles and fried eggs on Lagos island before he embarked on the trip.
He alleged that he lost N70,000, which he paid to the man who introduced and boarded him on the ship.
Daniel Vincent, another member of the returnees, said he thought he would have been in Europe after three days of the trip.
“They told us we would be in Europe within five or six days. We didn’t carry any food or water with us when we boarded the ship at Tin Can Port in Lagos. It was a very regrettable experience I would not encourage even my enemies to embark upon,” he said.
