Four Nigerian stowaways embarked on a dangerous journey to Europe, only to find themselves bound for Brazil instead. Roman Ebimene Friday, one of the stowaways, had been living on and off the streets in Lagos, Nigeria, for three years, desperately searching for work to support his family. Faced with the lack of opportunities and the constant violence in Nigeria, Friday decided to take a chance and board a tanker bound for Europe.
Friday and three other men managed to climb onto the rudder of the tanker, called the Ken Wave, and hid there for 15 hours before the ship set sail. They expected to be shipmates for about a week, but little did they know that their journey would last for two perilous weeks across the Atlantic Ocean.
Life on the rudder was far from comfortable. The men struggled to find a stable position, and the constant movement of the rudder made it difficult to sleep or even stand. They rationed their food and water, tying ropes around their waists to relieve themselves off the side of the rudder. Waves lashed at them, and the fear of falling into the water was ever-present.
As the days passed, the men grew weaker and more desperate. They ran out of food and water, and their bodies began to suffer from dehydration and hunger. Friday managed to collect small amounts of salty water from the ocean using a torn cellophane biscuit wrapper attached to a rope. One of the men even started vomiting from the side of the rudder, on the verge of falling into the water if not for Friday’s intervention.
On the 13th day of their journey, Friday had a moment of respite when he spotted a whale in the distance. The sight of the majestic creature momentarily distracted him from his hunger and thirst, providing a brief moment of awe and wonder.
Finally, on the 14th day, the men spotted land and buildings in the distance. A resupply boat and later a police dinghy approached them, offering water and informing them that they had arrived in Brazil. The stowaways had unknowingly traveled over 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
Friday, now in Sao Paolo, Brazil, reflects on his journey and the desperation that led him to take such a risk. He hopes for a brighter future and the opportunity to support his family. His story sheds light on the struggles faced by many Nigerians who embark on dangerous journeys in search of a better life.Four Nigerian stowaways embarked on a dangerous journey to Europe, only to find themselves bound for Brazil instead. Roman Ebimene Friday, one of the stowaways, had spotted a tanker docked at the port in Lagos and decided it would be his ticket to Europe. With the help of a fisherman, Friday and three other men managed to climb onto the tanker’s rudder, their only accessible point on the massive hull. Little did they know, they were in for a two-week ocean voyage that would push them to the brink of death.
Friday and his companions spent the first 15 hours perched silently on the rudder, fearing being caught. They shouted to each other, realizing they all had the same goal of reaching Europe. However, their journey took an unexpected turn as the tanker, named the Ken Wave, set sail for Brazil instead.
The four men endured extreme discomfort and fear as they clung to the rudder. They rationed their food and water, tied ropes around their waists to relieve themselves, and battled rough waves. Sleep was nearly impossible, as they had to remain alert to the constant movement of the rudder.
As the days passed, hunger and thirst began to take their toll. They grew weaker and stopped talking altogether. Friday managed to collect small amounts of salty water from the ocean using a makeshift contraption. One of the men began vomiting from the side of the rudder, on the verge of falling into the water. Friday, the only one with any strength left, had to grab hold of him to prevent a tragedy.
On the 13th day of their voyage, Friday had a moment of respite when he spotted a whale in the distance. It was a sight that brought him joy and momentarily made him forget his hunger and thirst.
Finally, on the 14th day, the men saw land and buildings in the distance. The Ken Wave had stopped off the coast to take on a fresh crew, and a resupply boat spotted the stowaways. They were informed that they had arrived in Brazil. The men were rescued by a police dinghy and provided with much-needed water.
After safely reaching Brazil, Friday and one of his companions, Thankgod Opemipo Matthew Yeye, decided to make the country their new home. They used borrowed phones to call their families, while the other two stowaways chose to return to Nigeria. Friday and Yeye face challenges ahead, as African migrants often face racism and struggle to find well-paid work in Brazil. However, they have been taken in by a shelter in Sao Paolo and are receiving support from a Catholic mission.
Friday, who had spent years living on and off the streets in Nigeria, feels a glimmer of hope in his new surroundings. He is focused on adapting and learning the language, while Yeye plans to start a new business and bring his family to Brazil. Despite the near-death experience of their journey, the two men see their arrival in Brazil as a new beginning.
How did the constant movement of the rudder affect the stability of the stowaways aboard the boat?
Rly impossible, as the constant movement of the rudder made it difficult to find a stable position. Dehydration and hunger began to take their toll on the stowaways, with Friday resorting to collecting salty water from the ocean using a torn cellophane biscuit wrapper.
After 13 days at sea, Friday spotted a whale in the distance, momentarily providing a distraction from their dire circumstances. Finally, on the 14th day, the men spotted land and were approached by a resupply boat and a police dinghy, informing them that they had arrived in Brazil.
Now in São Paulo, Brazil, Friday reflects on his journey and the desperation that led him to take such a risk. His story serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by many Nigerians who embark on dangerous journeys in search of a better life. Despite ending up in Brazil rather than Europe, Friday remains hopeful for a brighter future and the opportunity to support his family.
Wow, that sounds like an incredibly intense and dangerous journey. I hope they made it to Brazil safely.
This story is a powerful reminder of the lengths people will go to in search of a better life. I admire their strength and resilience.