The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry has handed over 414 bags of suspected foreign parboiled rice intercepted during an anti smuggling operation to the Nigeria Customs Service Marine Command.
The Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Said Muhammed Kabir, represented by the Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Ehis Osabo Nathaniel, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the operations.
He said the rice was intercepted on Saturday, August 29, 2026, following credible human intelligence on suspected smuggling activities within the base’s area of operations.
According to him, naval personnel deployed to the area intercepted three boats at different locations during the operation.
One of the boats was intercepted at Apa Creek, while two others were intercepted around the Point of No Return.
The occupants reportedly fled after sighting the naval personnel, abandoning the boats and the suspected smuggled rice.
The Navy said the interception underscored its determination to curb maritime smuggling, protect Nigeria’s economic interests and strengthen security along the country’s waterways.
It added that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence led patrols and inter agency cooperation in tackling illicit activities in coastal communities.
In a related operation, naval personnel on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, intercepted two bags containing 57 parcels of suspected Cannabis Sativa around Ashipa Beach in Badagry.
The operation, conducted at about 5:07 a.m., followed credible intelligence on suspected illicit drug activities in the area.
The suspects reportedly fled after sighting the naval team, abandoning the suspected cannabis, which was subsequently recovered by the personnel.
The Navy said the recovered items would be handed over to the appropriate government agency for further investigation and necessary action in accordance with established procedures.
The Command also commended the cooperation of the Nigeria Customs Service Marine Command and urged residents of Badagry to continue their legitimate activities while providing security agencies with credible information on suspected smuggling, drug trafficking and other criminal activities.