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The Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry of the Nigerian Navy has seized no fewer than 13,800 litres of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice in multiple operations targeting smugglers along the Badagry creeks.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, who confirmed that the seizures occurred between March 7 and 14.
He said naval operatives acted on intelligence, leading to the interception of the contraband in separate 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 stated.
According to him, the operation was focused on intercepting smugglers and confiscating products intended for illegal export.
“The smugglers initially evaded our water patrol but were intercepted by our land patrol unit 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 seized rice, he noted, has been taken to the base for further necessary action.
Omotayo further revealed that 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, allegedly meant for smuggling via wooden boats through Nigeria’s territorial waters into the Benin Republic.
During the search, naval operatives discovered “234 jerry cans of 25 litres each, totaling about 5,850 litres of petrol,” which were promptly confiscated and moved to the base.
In addition, he disclosed that “7,770 litres of petrol” were seized in other operations conducted across Badagry communities.
He also confirmed that “7,950 litres of petrol” confiscated from two filling stations and Tongeji Island on March 7 and 8 had been handled in accordance with legal procedures.
