In a coordinated inter-agency operation on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT transferred custody of 58 bags of confiscated foreign parboiled rice to the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to an official press statement duly signed by Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, Base Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT. The contraband was intercepted on 31 August 2025 by the NNS BEECROFT Patrol Team stationed at Liverpool Apapa. The team while acting on credible intelligence intercepted 2 wooden boats laden with a total of 58 bags of suspected smuggled foreign parboiled rice. However, the suspects abandoned the boats on sighting the patrol team.
During the handover, the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, represented by the Executive Officer, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, asserted that the interception is part of the concerted efforts by the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral ldi Abbas, Admiralty Medal, to curtail all forms of illegal activities — particularly the smuggling of contraband and other maritime crimes within Nigeria’s coastal waters.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Navy is committed to working with other security agencies to protect Nigerian’s maritime domain for socio-economic activities to thrive. Captain Udoessien commended the vigilance and professionalism of NNS BEECROFT personnel and urged the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence to enhance security and safety across the Lagos state.
The contraband was handed over to the Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Kehinde Alade Saliman of Western Marine Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa, for necessary action.