LAGOS/Nigeria: The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on cross-border smuggling, intercepting 529 bags of foreign parboiled rice allegedly smuggled into the country through the Badagry-Porto Novo waterways before handing the consignment over to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The seized rice was recovered during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Badagry, within its operational area, according to the Commanding Officer of the Base.
The officer said the operations targeted smuggling routes along the Nigeria-Benin maritime corridor, where security agencies have continued efforts to curb the illegal movement of goods across the nation’s waterways.
He explained that the confiscated bags of rice were transferred to the Nigeria Customs Service in line with existing operational procedures, with 420 bags handed over to the NCS Seme Area Command and the remaining 109 bags delivered to the NCS Western Marine Command in Badagry.
According to him, both handover exercises took place at the Base Jetty without any incident.
The Commanding Officer said the latest interception reflects ongoing collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to combat smuggling, trafficking and other transnational crimes within the country’s maritime environment.
He noted that intelligence gathering and coordinated patrols have remained central to the Navy’s operations in the Badagry axis, enabling security personnel to disrupt illegal activities along the waterways.
The officer added that the current operational strategy aligns with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to strengthen maritime security through enhanced professionalism, operational readiness and inter-agency cooperation.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting national economic security by sustaining operations against smugglers and other criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
He also appealed to residents of coastal communities and other members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in tackling maritime crimes and protecting the nation’s economic interests.
