The Nigerian Navy has clipped the dreams of three Ghanaian stowaways of landing in Europe.
The men were discovered hidden inside the rudder compartment of MT Anatolia at Dangote Terminal, Lagos.
By so doing, the stowaways exposed the dangerous lengths some migrants take in search of opportunities abroad.
According to naval authorities, the suspects boarded the vessel from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, intending to reach Europe without documentation.
The Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, confirmed the motive behind the journey:
“They boarded the vessel… to travel illegally to Europe.”
He explained that the men hid in the ship’s rudder compartment, one of the most dangerous areas, with little space and poor ventilation.
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Authorities said the suspects believed they had reached Europe when they emerged from hiding, only to discover they were still in Lagos.
“They thought they had arrived in Europe,” Adams-Aliu said.
Horrifying Journey
The three men, aged between 22 and 26, spent about five days at sea in extreme conditions.
One of them, Daniel Amisah, described the desperation behind the attempt:
“We thought the vessel was going to Europe… Britain, Canada or Spain.”
He added that the decision was driven by economic hardship and the need to support his family.
“I wanted to raise money for my sick mother,” he said.
Another stowaway, Amoh Michael, said the lack of funds for legal travel forced them into the risky route.
“We don’t have money to get passports,” he said.
They survived on basic supplies such as garri, sugar, and water, enduring cramped conditions with no proper rest or hygiene.
Arrest and Handover
The men were eventually discovered by the ship’s crew after leaving their hiding place, believing they had reached their destination.
They were rescued and taken to a naval base before being handed over to immigration authorities for further processing.
Adams-Aliu said the operation highlights growing collaboration among security agencies.
The handover reflects efforts to “curb illegal migration”, he said.
The Nigeria Immigration Service is expected to complete legal procedures before facilitating their return to Ghana.
The incident underscores a wider trend across West Africa, where young people risk dangerous sea journeys in search of better economic opportunities.
Despite repeated warnings, illegal migration persists, driven by poverty, unemployment, and the hope of a better life abroad.
But cases like this reveal the harsh reality behind the dream.
For many, the journey ends not in Europe, but back where it started.
