The Nigerian Navy has seized 13,800 litres of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice in a series of anti-smuggling operations along the Badagry creeks, targeting illicit trade activities.
Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He confirmed that the seizures took place between March 7 and 14 following intelligence-led operations.
“In continuation of the fight against smuggling within our Area of Operation in Badagry, a target operation was launched on Friday, March 14, at 2:54 am,” Omotayo said.
According to him, naval operatives intercepted smugglers who were attempting to transport contraband goods. While the suspects managed to evade water patrols, they were caught by a land patrol team at around 3:30 am.
“During the operation, 71 bags of foreign rice were found being smuggled. The items were seized, while the suspects fled upon sighting our patrol at 4:22 am,” he added. The confiscated rice was taken to the naval base for further action.
On the same day, intelligence operatives alerted the Navy at 12:15 am about petrol stockpiled at a beach near Bollington in the Badagry creeks. The fuel was allegedly meant to be smuggled via wooden boats into Benin Republic.
“During the search, naval operatives discovered 234 jerry cans of 25 litres each, totaling about 5,850 litres of petrol,” Omotayo revealed. The fuel was promptly confiscated and transported to the base.
Additionally, another 7,770 litres of petrol were seized in separate operations across Badagry communities.
Omotayo also confirmed that 7,950 litres of petrol, confiscated from two filling stations and Tongeji Island on March 7 and 8, had been handled according to legal procedures.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to tackling smuggling and protecting the nation’s territorial waters.