The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry, Lagos, has handed over six suspected smugglers and 126 bags of foreign parboiled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
According to Linus Osuman, the Commanding Officer of the base, the suspects were intercepted on December 27 at Akere Creek in Badagry while transporting the contraband using three fibre boats.
“Our operation was based on an intelligence report about bags of rice being smuggled into the Akere community. Acting swiftly, we deployed our quick response team to the location. This led to the seizure of 126 bags of foreign rice and the arrest of six suspects. Searches of nearby communities yielded no further contraband or arrests,” Osuman explained during the handover on Thursday.
The suspects and seized items have been transferred to the Seme Command of the NCS for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Osuman emphasised the navy’s commitment to combating smuggling and ensuring secure waterways in collaboration with other agencies.
“Smuggling undermines the nation’s economy by reducing revenue and harming local production. These efforts are part of the FOB Badagry’s mission to uphold maritime security in line with the chief of naval staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s Strategic Directive 2023-6, which aims to maintain safety in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the NCS, Imam Shehu, the enforcement officer at the Seme Area Command, confirmed that the suspects would face prosecution while the confiscated rice would be auctioned to the public.
Shehu also lauded the navy’s efforts, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the two agencies to protect Nigeria’s waterways.
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