For young Nigerians -James John, Favour Efe, Kingsley Williams, and Kingsley Mathew got lucky recently as they escaped death in the Atlantic Ocean after being thrown overboard by the crew of a foreign vessel. The young men, seeking to escape Nigeria’s economic challenges, had boarded the ship in secret with hopes of reaching foreign shores.
The crew of the vessel, upon discovering the stowaways, allegedly responded with violence, casting the men into the open sea. The swift intervention of a maritime logistics company owned by an Ekiti-born businessman, Harrison Niyi Alonge (who is based) saved the situation from ending in tragedy for the young men.
A statement by the company, signed by by the public relations officer, Olawale Ezekiel on Thursday said.. “The crew, led by a captain, detected suspicious movement in the waters and quickly raised the alarm. Acting on their report, Alonge ordered an immediate emergency operation, which led to the rescue of the four victims.”
“All four victims were found alive but clearly traumatised. They are now in stable condition and receiving proper care. Their survival is nothing short of a miracle.”
“They were clinging to debris, weak and barely able to call for help. We acted quickly. Another few minutes, and they might not have made it.”
The rescued individuals have since been handed over to the Nigerian Navy at the Navy Base Atlas Cove, Takwa Bay, for further care and debriefing.
“This incident underscores a growing migration crisis in Nigeria, where economic instability, unemployment, and insecurity have driven many young people to attempt perilous journeys in search of a better life.”