By Sandra Chukwunyere
In a bid to curb stowaway attempts, security agencies and the Maritime Security Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) have launched a joint sensitization campaign across Lagos coastal communities. The campaign, which kicked off on Wednesday, targets the growing trend of irregular maritime migration and stowaway attempts. Led by the Comptroller of Immigration, Lagos Seaports Command, CIS Clementina Ogudu, the team visited four coastal communities around the Apapa and Tin Can Port corridor.
The outreach campaign, themed “Comot Your Eye for Ship Propeller,” aims to dispel myths about hiding on vessels to Europe and to highlight the life-threatening risks involved.. During the visit, Officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) engaged traditional rulers, youth groups, and community influencers. They explained the dangers of stowaway attempts, including fatal injuries, death, arrest, imprisonment, vessel delays, and economic losses for ship operators.
The campaign also seeks to raise awareness about the role of human traffickers and smugglers who exploit desperate youths with false promises of opportunities abroad. MASPAN President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, emphasized that modern shipping regulations, vessel designs, and advanced port security have made stowaway attempts virtually impossible to survive. He described stowaway attempts as “a suicide mission young people must be educated away from” and urged communities to shift from relying on unskilled job slots to developing capacity through targeted training.
Community members welcomed the engagement and pledged to intensify awareness efforts among their youths.** Banners and posters were distributed to reinforce key messages, while security agencies affirmed their readiness to support future sensitization activities. The campaign visited Sabonkorji, Itun-Agan, Igbo Elejo, and Nati communities, and officials noted that poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunities remain powerful drivers of irregular migration.
Despite the gains, officials emphasize the need for sustained outreach and stronger community monitoring. They stressed the importance of deeper collaboration among the Navy, NIS, NPF, local governments, and civil society to build local early-warning mechanisms capable of deterring potential stowaway attempts. The sensitization tour forms part of an ongoing inter-agency effort to strengthen maritime security, protect at-risk youths, and tackle the socio-economic pressures fuelling irregular migration across Nigeria’s coastal communities.
MASPAN President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, encouraged community leaders to partner with corporate organizations operating in their areas to implement capacity-building programs in emerging fields. This, he believes, will widen employment prospects and reduce migration-related desperation.
According to Maiguwa, the campaign has reached out to communities around the Apapa and Tin Can Port corridor, and officials are optimistic that it will yield positive results. The outreach effort is a collaboration between security agencies and MASPAN, and it aims to educate youths about the dangers of stowaway attempts.
“The campaign recognizes that poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunities are key drivers of irregular migration.” By addressing these underlying issues, the campaign aims to reduce the incidence of stowaway attempts and promote a safer and more secure future for Nigerian youths,Maiguwa said
