Naval operatives from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry, Lagos State, intercepted 16 fibre boats carrying 1,000 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice on Saturday.
According to a local source in the Yafin community, the smugglers arrived around 7:30 a.m., transporting the contraband to riverine areas of Isalu and Yafin.
Within minutes, vehicles began arriving to load the rice when navy personnel launched an operation.
Sensing danger, some smugglers fled into the water, while others ran into hiding.
Meanwhile, drivers of the waiting vehicles sped off to evade arrest.
The naval officers confiscated the rice, reloaded it onto the boats, and transported it to their base.
The source confirmed that the operation was conducted peacefully, with no altercations or gunfire.
Petrol seizure at Badagry fuel station
In a separate operation on February 1, the navy confiscated 3,375 litres of petrol at a filling station in Ajara, Badagry.
The fuel was allegedly being siphoned for illegal transport to the Republic of Benin.
On sighting the naval team, those involved in the smuggling fled the scene.
Rescue of human trafficking victims
Additionally, on February 5, at approximately 2:30 p.m., navy operatives intercepted a speedboat at the Badagry-Port Novo Creek.
The vessel was carrying nine individuals believed to be victims of human trafficking en route to Porto-Novo in Benin Republic.
The Nigerian Navy continues its intensified efforts to curb smuggling and other illegal activities along the country’s waterways.
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