LAGOS/Nigeria: The Nigerian Navy has transferred 143 bags of foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria to the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, in Badagry, Lagos State.
The development was disclosed in a statement by the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, Navy Capt. SM Kabir, made available to journalists in Lagos on Friday.
Kabir said the seizure was made during intelligence-led patrols conducted by naval personnel along the Panshi-Ijofin Creek and adjoining waterways in the base’s area of responsibility.
According to him, the operation formed part of ongoing efforts by the Navy to disrupt smuggling, human trafficking and other cross-border criminal activities along the nation’s waterways.
He said the personnel intercepted the 143 bags of foreign parboiled rice during the patrols after acting on intelligence concerning suspected illicit movement of contraband.
The seized items were subsequently handed over to the Customs Service in accordance with established regulations and the Navy’s standard operating procedures.
Kabir said the handover was conducted at about 11 a.m. on Friday at the base jetty in Badagry.
He described the operation and subsequent transfer of the seized goods as part of the Navy’s continuing collaboration with other government agencies to protect Nigeria’s economic and maritime interests.
The commanding officer said FOB Badagry would sustain its patrols and other security operations aimed at denying criminals access to waterways within its operational jurisdiction.
He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tackling smuggling and other forms of criminality along the maritime border.
The latest operation adds to a series of anti-smuggling activities by security agencies along the Badagry waterways, an area that has remained a focus of enforcement operations because of its proximity to Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Benin.
