- Safiu Kehinde
The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos State, has on Tuesday handed over 585 seized bags of smuggled foreign rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
While presenting the consignment, Navy Capt. Leye Omotayo, the Commanding Officer, FOB, said the seized items were intercepted during a series of targeted, intelligence-led operations conducted by personnel of the Base in recent weeks.
Omotayo, who was represented at the handing over by the Base Executive Officer, Cdr. Shuaib Yusuf reaffirmed the Base’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a secure, lawful, and economically viable maritime domain.
According to the commanding officer, a total of 525 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice was handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command while 60 bags of the same commodity was given to NCS Western Marine Command.
“These successful interceptions form part of the Nigerian Navy’s sustained efforts to enforce Federal Government directives against smuggling and other acts of economic sabotage within the nation’s maritime environment and adjoining land borders.
“These operations were carried out in strict compliance for Arrest and Handover, as well as extant regulations guiding inter-agency collaboration,” he said.
Omotayo further assured that FOB Badagry would continue to intensify surveillance and patrol activities across its Area of Operations to deter smugglers and other perpetrators of maritime and border-related crimes.
He reiterated the Forward Operating Base’s commitment to achieving the strategic and operational objectives of the Nigerian Navy, in line with the directives and vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. Abbas.
Omotayo said that the Nigerian Navy, and particularly the FOB Badagry, would continue to demonstrate professionalism, effective inter-agency synergy, and operational excellence in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and border environment.
He also warned perpetrators of illegal activities to desist forthwith, stressing “the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its commitment to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and economic lifelines”.