The Forward Operating Base, FOB of the Nigerian Navy, Akarakumo, Badagry, Lagos on Friday handed over 109 bags of foreign parboiled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.
Navy Capt. Linus Osuman, the Commanding Officer, FOB, Badagry, in a statement said two fibre boats carrying 109 bags of foreign rice were intercepted by his men on Jan.6, in Kposuko community along Badagry creeks.
“At about 11.30.p.m, on Jan.6, the Nigerian Navy FOB patrol team on routine patrol, acting on an intelligence tip-off conducted cordon and search around Kposuko community along Badagry creeks.
“During the search, a total of 109 bags of foreign parboiled rice were discovered in two fiber boats around Harmony Jetty.
“The products were suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic.
“No suspects were arrested as they fled on sighting own patrol team,” he said.
Osuman said that the 109 bags of foreign rice were being handed over to Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr J.I. Ohagwu, the Officer in Charge of Operations, Seme Customs.
“This is in line with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution, HSOP-AD&P 2016.
“Recall that on assumption of office, the Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla stated his mission, as “to maintain and equip a professionally competent and ethical naval force.
“While leveraging on all elements of national power for the effective defence of Nigerian’s maritime area of interest against all forms of threat in fulfillment of national security imperatives.
“Accordingly, these sustained efforts of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry, are all geared towards complying with the stated mission as well as the CNS Strategic Directive 2023-6.
“This is to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea for economic activities to thrive.
“The efforts are also in line with the dictates of the ongoing Operation Water Guard,” he said.