By Vivian Amoah
The Ghana Navy has arrested ten Nigerian nationals who attempted to illegally enter Ghana by stowing away on a merchant vessel bound for Tema.
According to a statement from the Navy, the stowaways were discovered aboard the MV Marhaba Queen, a cargo ship that had departed from Lagos, Nigeria, and was en route to the Tema Port. The discovery was made after the ship’s crew detected unusual activity and alerted the authorities.
A naval patrol team was quickly dispatched to intercept the vessel within Ghana’s territorial waters. Upon inspection, the team found the ten individuals hidden in different compartments of the ship. The suspects reportedly admitted to boarding the vessel clandestinely in a bid to seek better living conditions in Ghana and beyond.
Commander of the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo, confirmed the arrest and said the suspects have been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for further investigation and possible repatriation.
He cautioned that the Ghana Navy remains vigilant in protecting the country’s maritime borders and warned that any illegal entry attempt would be met with strict enforcement.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Immigration Service has initiated background checks and health screening procedures before taking the necessary legal actions in accordance with Ghana’s immigration laws.
This incident adds to the growing number of stowaway cases in West African waters, raising concerns about regional maritime security and illegal migration.
