Man Remembers Hiding in Ship’s Engine Room on Perilous Journey from Lagos to Spain
Imagine spending nearly two months cramped inside a ship’s engine room, hoping to reach Europe and a better life—only to face tragedy and tough lessons along the way. That was the reality for one Nigerian man whose harrowing tale from 1997 is as gripping as it is heartbreaking.
In a moving story shared on TikTok, Mr. David recounted how he and 19 others clandestinely boarded a ship from Lagos bound for Spain, tucked away in the engine room. The price of passage was $1,000 each, arranged through an engineer who offered to smuggle them in.
They survived on simple staples like Agege bread and sachet water for over a month and three weeks at sea, but the journey came at a steep cost: seven of the travelers died and were quietly thrown overboard to keep the crew from discovering the stowaways.
Reflecting on his past, Mr. David revealed that one of his deepest regrets was sacrificing his education. Growing up in Port Harcourt, his father—who was financially comfortable with multiple fishing boats and a lucrative business—had insisted only one son could attend school while the others learned a trade. David gave up his chance so his brother could study, a decision he later regretted deeply.
His second regret was returning to Nigeria after finally making it to Spain. After arriving in Barcelona, the group scattered, and he found kindness with a Spanish family. Unfortunately, a chance encounter at a Nigerian restaurant during an immigration raid led to his arrest and deportation back home.
Back in Nigeria, he used his remaining funds to start a modest aluminum business that continues to this day. In addition to his regrets about schooling and returning home, Mr. David spoke of his sorrow over never fathering a male child. Medical tests later confirmed his impotence, closing that chapter of hope.
Despite the hardships, there is a silver lining: he has since given up drinking, something he counts as a positive change amid years of struggle.
This story is a powerful reminder of the risks people take and the complexities behind migration journeys, as well as the personal battles that often remain hidden beneath the surface.