Economic Sabotage: Nigerian Navy intercepts, returns 419 smuggled bags of rice to Customs

*Navy Captain B. O. Omotayo, Commanding Officer of the Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base, Badagry, reaffirms the Navy’s determination to enforce the Federal Government’s policies on maritime security and economic protection along the maritime and border corridors of the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In accordance with extant regulations and Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) for inter-agency collaboration, the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Friday, October 3, 2025, in in Badagry, Lagos State, handed over 419 bags of seized foreign parboiled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command.

Navy Captain B. O. Omotayo, Commanding Officer, Nigeria Navy Forward Operating Base, Badagry, who disclosed this development in a statement, said the Naval seizures and handing over were part of the Navy’s unwavering drive to rid the country’s maritime and border corridors of smuggling and other illegalities.

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The statement also revealed the interception and seizures occurred at different points along the Badagry–Porto Novo Creek and adjoining backwaters.

Navy Captain Omotayo, represented by Base Admin Officer, Lt. Cdr. S.O Talabi, stated that the effort achieved resulted from intensified surveillance and proactive patrols conducted by the Base Quick Response Teams.

The Customs Service Seme Area Command further noted that the operations formed part of sustained efforts at minimising the activities of economic saboteurs and their collaborators who persistently exploit Nigeria’s waterways and borderlines for smuggling and other illegal activities.

Speaking during the handover, Navy Captain Omotayo reaffirmed the Navy’s determination to enforce the Federal Government’s policies on maritime security and protection of critical national economic assets.

According to the top official, the operations of the Base are guided by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla’s Strategic Directive 06–2023, focused on securing the maritime environment for sustainable socio-economic development in the West African country.

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Captain Omotayo, therefore, commended the professional conduct and resilience of officers and men of FOB Badagry in ensuring that smugglers and perpetrators of other cross-border crimes are denied freedom to operate in the jurisdiction.

The statement further noted the Nigerian Navy assured the Base would continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations.

It as well assured of fostering stronger collaboration with sister security agencies and host communities in the Badagry axis.

The Forward Operating Base Badagry, under the leadership of Navy Captain B.O Omotayo remains resolute in delivering on its mandate of securing Nigeria’s maritime domain, the statement added.

The Base also warned perpetrators of illegal activities to desist forthwith.

It said the Nigerian Navy would not relent in its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and economic lifelines.

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