Two of the four stowaways from Nigeria who were rescued have detailed their survival strategy during their 14-day ordeal on a ship’s rudder.

The men shared how they managed to endure the journey of 3,500 miles from Lagos, Nigeria, to Vitória, Brazil.

Escaping the harsh economic conditions and political turmoil in Nigeria, the group had concealed themselves above the ship’s rudder, hopeful of reaching Europe.

Struggling with dwindling supplies, they ultimately resorted to drinking their own urine and seawater as the ship continued its course towards South America.

Describing the hardships encountered during their voyage, Thankgod Yeye, aged 38, recounted the distressing incident in a Daily Mail report, emphasizing the severity of the situation. “It was a terrible experience for me. On board, it is not easy. I was shaking, so scared. But I’m here,” he expressed.

Similarly, Roman Friday, 35, shared his perspective, noting that they devised a makeshift net around the rudder to prevent themselves from falling into the ocean.

He also mentioned witnessing the presence of “big fish like whales and sharks” in the open waters.

According to The Daily Mail, the survivors were interviewed at a shelter in Sao Paolo after the ordeal.

They were rescued by Brazilian federal police in the port of Vitória, located in the southeastern region, two weeks after embarking on their journey on June 27th.

Due to the confined spaces and the continuous noise of the engine, sleep was a rare and risky occurrence during their journey.

Friday expressed his relief upon being rescued, stating, “I was very happy when we got rescued. I pray the government of Brazil will pity me.”

It was revealed that while two of the rescued individuals returned to Nigeria as per their request, Yeye and Friday decided to seek asylum in Brazil.

They cited economic challenges, political instability, and rising crime rates in Nigeria as their motivations for leaving.

Yeye, identified as a Pentecostal minister from Lagos state, shared that his peanut and palm oil farm had been devastated by floods this year, leaving his family homeless, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Friday shared that his voyage to Brazil commenced on June 27th. A friend who was a fisherman rowed him to the rear of the Liberian-flagged vessel named Ken Wave, which was docked in Lagos.

At the rudder, he joined three other men who were also waiting for the ship’s departure.

Father Paolo Parise, a priest at the Sao Paulo shelter, noted that while he had encountered instances of stowaways before, this particular case was notably perilous.

People do unimaginable and deeply dangerous things,” he said