The Gambia deported nine Nigerians who attempted to stowaway to Europe via Gambian waters on Tuesday. Some Gambian immigration department officers boarded the Nigerians on an aircraft that landed Tuesday at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at lunchtime, when they were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Lagos Command.
The stowaways claimed they were enticed into the expedition by some of their pals who had made it to Europe using the same route.
The young Nigerian adults, aged 21 to 30, attempted to go to Europe via the Gambia Sea but were noticed by the ship captain, who quickly contacted the neighboring country’s security forces.
To avoid arrest, the stowaways leaped into the open water, with two of them straining to swim.
They were eventually saved from drowning and transferred to The Gambia’s Nigerian High Commission, which swiftly prepared emergency travel documents for them to be deported to Nigeria, despite their unwillingness to return.
Mrs. Adekola Adesokan, the Commissioner of Nigeria Immigration Services, confirmed our story, saying, “About nine Nigerians were sent back from Gambian immigration officers for attempted stowaway in the high sea, and two of them nearly lost their lives in the process because, when they were discovered, they attempted to escape and jumped into the high sea.” Unfortunately, two of them were unable to swim.
“The captain of the ship had to contact the neighboring country to coordinate the rescue mission.” Security officers were able to rapidly rescue them, load them into a boat, and transport them to a hotel where they were fed.
“However, they were obstinate and refused to return to Nigeria.” In fact, they were still requesting money from the immigration office in order to return to Nigeria. They were eventually escorted to the Nigeria High Commission in The Gambia, which persuaded them and provided them emergency travel permits so that they could be sent to Nigeria via the MMIA.”
Stowaways were flown back to Nigeria by Asky Airlines under the registration number Lome, Togo.
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