Four Nigerians were thrown into the sea by foreigners from a foreign ship
Four Nigerian Stowaways Rescued After Being Thrown Overboard in the Atlantic
In a harrowing incident that highlights the desperation of many Nigerian youths, four stowaways were rescued in the Atlantic Ocean after being allegedly thrown overboard by the crew of a foreign vessel.
The young men had secretly boarded the ship in a bid to escape Nigeria’s economic hardship and seek better opportunities abroad. However, their hope for a new beginning turned into a nightmare when they were discovered by the crew, who reportedly responded with violence and cast them into the open sea.
Thankfully, their story did not end in tragedy. A swift and heroic rescue effort was carried out by a maritime logistics company led by France-based Nigerian businessman, Mr. Harrison Niyi Alonge, who hails from Ekiti State.
According to a statement released on May 22, 2025, by the company’s public relations officer, Olawale Ezekiel, the crew of another ship detected suspicious movement in the water and raised an urgent alert. Upon hearing of the situation, Mr. Alonge ordered an immediate rescue operation.
“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,” the statement read.
The rescued men—James John, Favour Efe, Kingsley Williams, and Kingsley Mathew—were reportedly clinging to debris, weak and barely conscious. “We acted quickly. Another few minutes, and they might not have made it,” Ezekiel added.
The stowaways have since been handed over to the Nigerian Navy at the Navy Base Atlas Cove, Takwa Bay, where they are receiving further medical attention and will be debriefed.
This incident sheds light on the deepening migration crisis facing Nigeria. Economic instability, rising unemployment, and insecurity are driving more young Nigerians to risk everything on dangerous and illegal journeys across land and sea. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), hundreds of Nigerians embark on such perilous routes every year.
As investigations continue, the focus remains not only on the actions of the vessel's crew but also on the broader systemic issues fueling these dangerous escapes.
