'Stowaways' accused of trying to take over container ship in Thames Estuary in bid to get to Britain are revealed as Nigerian and Liberian
•Four men were charged with one count each of affray, by threatening violence
•Three confirmed their nationalities as Nigerian and Joberto McGee as Liberian
•All men will be remanded in custody over Christmas until December 31

By Bryony Jewell For Mailonline

Published: 12:21 GMT, 24 December 2018

Four men who were arrested after military operatives swooped on a cargo ship in the Thames Estuary have revealed they are Nigerian and Liberian.

Samuel Jolumi, 26, Ishola Sunday, 27, Toheeb Popoola, 26, and Joberto McGee, 20, are accused of threatening crew on the Grande Tema ship 11 days after boarding in Nigeria.

The ship's operator said the men were detained after the Special Boat Service (SBS) were airlifted on to the vessel, which was carrying toxic chemicals.

The men appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court today charged with one count each of affray, by threatening violence.




The hearing was adjourned while prosecutors consider amending the charges to ones under maritime law.

All four of the defendants spoke only to confirm their particulars, with McGee giving his nationality as Liberian and the others saying they are Nigerian.

The 71,000-tonne ship set off from Lagos, Nigeria, on December 10.

After becoming aware alleged intruders were roaming the ship, the crew holed themselves up in the bridge and kept control of the vessel.

Essex Police was called at around 9.15am on Friday to a call relating to the safety of the crew on board the Grande Tema.

A dozen heavily armed Special Boat Service commandos abseiled from a helicopter on to a cargo ship on a daring mission to end the hostage drama.

Under cover of darkness, the troops swung on to the deck of the 770ft Grande Tema to tackle the stowaways who allegedly were weilding iron- bars.

As their Royal Navy Merlin helicopter hovered overhead, the SBS team – armed with assault rifles – rounded up the men and locked them in a cabin before freeing the ship's 27 Italian and Filipino sailors.

Once the mission – understood to have been codenamed Operation Buckthorn – was complete, the troops were joined by police officers who arrested the stowaways.

SBS boarded the ship and detained the four people at around 23:00 on Friday night in a 20-minute operation - 14 hours after the authorities were first alerted.

The vessel was sailing in circles in the Thames Estuary until the SBS unit were helicoptered onto the ship.

It was not until 4.20am on Saturday that the vessel docked at the Port of Tilbury in Essex, according to MarineTraffic.com.

The ship's operator, Grimaldi Lines, said there were no reports of injuries.

Spokesman Paul Kyprianou told reporters that the SBS descended on to the ship by helicopter before the men were arrested.

Paul Kyprianou said: 'Just before the Special Forces made their intervention, we were asked to switch off all the lights.

'Then they stormed aboard and the stowaways were put in a cabin. Then another helicopter landed on the ship with six police officers on board.

'The whole operation took about 20 minutes. Everything went smoothly. They [the crew] are just glad they are safe. You can imagine.'

The defendants, all of no fixed address, were remanded in custody, to appear at the same court on December 31.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6526825/Stowaways-accused-trying-container-ship-revealed-Nigerian-Liberian.html

Picture 1) The four men in their 20s who were arrested after military operatives swooped on a cargo ship (picture) in the Thames Estuary have revealed they are Nigerian and Liberian.

Pictures 2 & 3) A dozen heavily armed Special Boat Service commandos, 2, abseiled from a helicopter, 3, on to the cargo ship in the English Channel on Friday night (file pictures).

Picture 4) This red line shows how the ship is going in circles as the migrants demand that they are taken to Britain's shores and the crew remain in control

Picture 1) This graphic shows the ship's route to Britain after it left Nigeria on December 10 as well as five piracy incidents along the coast of Africa.


Picture 2) Shipping monitoring sites show the position of the vessel just north of the town of Margate

Previous threads.

Migrants (Possibly From Lagos) Threaten Crew Of Ship In The Thames Estuary.
https://www.nairaland.com/4917592/migrants-possibly-lagos-threaten-crew

SBS Commandos Storm Ship After Migrants (Possibly From Lagos) Threaten Crew.
https://www.nairaland.com/4918145/sbs-commandos-storm-ship-after

The last thread I booked space I was banned by anti spam bot .

They would be deported after trial, They spent some days in U.K that’s enough for the voyage.

we no go escape this one

They've made it....the authorities should release them on bail make dey go hustle small and repatriate some pounds.

Congrats to them.

Lol

I pity them
They been fingerprinted now
Limitations to what they can do outside Africa
Bad decisions

Na dem dem. Afonja criminals

Na dem

They should just jailed for life or better fling them into the ocean where nature will effect on their devilish body.

Samuel Jolumi, 26, Ishola Sunday, 27, Toheeb Popoola, 26

No surprise here, they voted for Buhari and now want to use agbero way of intimidation to enter UK. Some people are just naturally useless

Haba, have you ever heard that there are scammers and fraudsters in Mauritius or Mauritania, although they are African countries? What is wrong with Nigeria?

After their jail terms, deportation.

Mrchippychappy:



No surprise here, they voted for Buhari and now want to use agbero way of intimidation to enter UK. Some people are just naturally useless

Lolzzz

Very worthless.

kolnel:
Lol

I pity them
They been fingerprinted now
Limitations to what they can do outside Africa
Bad decisions

True.

Igbos




...Pls I need advice, if girlfriend yours is cheated was you on but love was still him to there what go do that must be?






.

Those boys for A papa sef. No joy

Na Afonjas this Buhari administration dey knack pass. Dem wan enter Britain by fire by force

Honestly it's been a while I have read news on nairaland due to twitter, instagram etc. But u guys shouldn't try to tell me that u are still using the word 'AFONJA' and I can't even remember the one they call igbos even though I'm an igbo guy....
Common now, una Don grow pass all these. Chai

Mrchippychappy:



No surprise here, they voted for Buhari and now want to use agbero way of intimidation to enter UK. Some people are just naturally useless

They should come back for 2023 presidency

Sergeant Non-Tribalist: What do you see, Private?

Private Tom Cat: I see Two Nationalities, Nigerians and Liberians, Sir!

Sergeant Non-Tribalist: I hope the corporal is taking note?
We should condemn criminals and not tribe.
OK

Corporal: Yes Sir! I am writing that down.

Merry Christmas to them.

notoriousbabe:
Igbos




...Pls I need advice, if girlfriend yours is cheated was you on but love was still him to there what go do that must be?






.

what language is this?

seunmohmoh:
what language is this?

Spanish

are you kidding me? this 'Grimaldi lines' cargo ship left Apapa just about a week plus after staying for almost a month... Tincan boys at work

Those guys na idiots, they probably voted for change, now they want to run leave us. This change is VERY strong

naptu2:


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6526825/Stowaways-accused-trying-container-ship-revealed-Nigerian-Liberian.html

Picture 1) The four men in their 20s who were arrested after military operatives swooped on a cargo ship (picture) in the Thames Estuary have revealed they are Nigerian and Liberian.

Pictures 2 & 3) A dozen heavily armed Special Boat Service commandos, 2, abseiled from a helicopter, 3, on to the cargo ship in the English Channel on Friday night (file pictures).

Picture 4) This red line shows how the ship is going in circles as the migrants demand that they are taken to Britain's shores and the crew remain in control

who else apart from the Afonjas!!! mtceew

Wasted [s]Nigerian Western Nigerian youths rendered useless by the Tinubu dynasty

Buhari supporters again