Nigerian Navy Intercepts Large Quantities of Petrol and Foreign Rice in Lagos
The Nigerian Navy seized 13,800 litres of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice in operations conducted from March 7 to March 14 along Badagry creeks. These successful intercepts stemmed from intelligence on smuggling activities, emphasizing the Navy’s commitment to combating illegal trade. Captain Oyeleye Omotayo confirmed ongoing efforts to enhance maritime security and collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Nigerian Navy, operating from its Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, has successfully intercepted significant quantities of petrol and foreign rice through a series of strategic operations conducted along the Badagry creeks. These operations, which took place between March 7 and March 14, were initiated following intelligence reports regarding smuggling activities in the area.
Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, the commanding officer at FOB Badagry, reported on March 14 that a focused operation was launched at 2:54 a.m. to apprehend smugglers. Although initial attempts were thwarted by these individuals, the naval operatives eventually identified and confiscated 71 bags of foreign rice, with the suspects fleeing the scene at approximately 4:22 a.m.
In-depth operations also led to the discovery of 5,850 litres of petrol, found within 234 jerry cans at a beach near Bollington. Despite the culprits evading capture, four vehicles used for smuggling were discovered abandoned at the shoreline. Additional seizure efforts yielded 7,770 litres of petrol within Badagry communities, highlighting the Navy’s decisive action against illegal activities.
Specifically, on March 7, the Navy confiscated 6,770 litres of petrol from a filling station alongside 188 empty jerry cans. Another operation on March 8 resulted in the seizure of an additional 1,000 litres of petrol from the Farasime community, thus reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to combating illicit goods and preventing their circulation.
Captain Omotayo emphasized that the Navy is enhancing its initiatives to deter smuggling and maintain security in the Badagry-Porto Novo creeks. In alignment with the directives from the Federal Government and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s strategic guidance, FOB Badagry is poised to continue its successful operations against unlawful activities while collaborating closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and supporting local communities.
The Nigerian Navy has demonstrated a robust commitment to tackling smuggling and enhancing national security through recent operations that led to significant seizures of petrol and foreign rice. With a structured response based on intelligence, the disciplined measures at FOB Badagry reflect the Navy’s readiness to combat illegal trade activities effectively and uphold the law in Nigeria’s territorial waters. The ongoing collaboration with other agencies affirms a unified stance against smuggling and reinforces community support initiatives.
Original Source: nannews.ng
