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The Nigerian Navy said its operatives attached to its frontline base, the NNS BEECROFT has rescued five persons attempting to travel out of Nigeria through illegal means.

The Commander of the NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams Aliu said the suspected stowaways were rescued rescued from the merchant vessel, MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, which was travelling to India from the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

Commodore Adams Aliu said the men were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.

According to the Nigerian Navy, the five men were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel, explaining that a stowaway is a person who secretly boards a vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation.

The suspects were safely evacuated by naval personnel and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.

He said initial investigations identified the suspects as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).

Further findings revealed that the suspects had boarded MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port, intending to travel illegally to India.

The Navy said the handover to the Nigeria Immigration Service underscores the sustained collaboration among security agencies in addressing illegal migration and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The Commanding Officer of NNS BEECROFT urged parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from engaging in dangerous and unlawful attempts to board seagoing vessels in pursuit of irregular migration.

He reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to fulfilling the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, by maintaining a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests, supporting joint operations, defending national sovereignty, and contributing to internal security.

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The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, has assured residents that a commercial area in the state remains safe following a bomb explosion suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device, which triggered brief panic in the area.

Tijani gave the assurance on Monday, June 22, 2026 while addressing journalists at the scene of the incident at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, following a comprehensive sweep by security operatives.

According to him, the police received information about an explosion and immediately deployed Explosive Ordnance Disposal operatives to cordon off and secure the area.

“We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.

He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device planted under a vehicle.

Tijani said the device was placed beneath the passenger side of the vehicle and detonated when the engine was started.

“The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” he said.

According to him, one person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

He said that the victim was in a stable condition.

The commissioner added that after a detailed sweep by EOD experts, no additional explosive devices were discovered in the area.

The police commissioner urged members of the public, especially residents and traders in the affected commercial area, to remain calm and resume normal activities.

He also stated that remnants of the explosive device had been recovered and taken for forensic examination as investigations continued.

The CP urged residents to remain calm and disregard rumours suggesting widespread insecurity in Lagos, describing these as false and misleading.

(NAN)

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A building has collapsed along Slaughter Road, off Iwofe Road (Aker Junction) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Fortunately, no lives were lost as the structure was empty at the time of the incident.

All construction workers on site were confirmed safe, and no injuries or casualties were recorded.

Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the collapse, while concerns have been raised over construction standards and structural safety in the area.