In a continued effort to curb smuggling and secure Nigeria’s maritime borders, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry has handed over 419 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command.
The handover, which took place on Friday, 3 October 2025, was carried out in accordance with existing regulations and the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) for inter-agency collaboration.
According to a press statement issued by the Base, the rice was intercepted at various points along the Badagry–Porto Novo Creek and adjoining backwaters during intensified surveillance and proactive patrols conducted by the Base’s Quick Response Teams. The successful operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Navy to disrupt the activities of smugglers and other economic saboteurs exploiting Nigeria’s waterways and borders.
Speaking on behalf of the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain BO Omotayo, the Base Admin Officer, Lieutenant Commander SO Talabi, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s policies on maritime security and economic protection.
He noted that the operation was in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla’s Strategic Directive 06–2023, which prioritizes the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment for national development.
Captain Omotayo also praised the professionalism and resilience of his personnel in maintaining vigilance and disrupting smuggling operations in the region. He assured that FOB Badagry would continue to adopt intelligence-led operations and strengthen its cooperation with other security agencies and local communities.
The Navy further issued a stern warning to individuals involved in smuggling and other cross-border crimes to desist, warning that it remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and economic lifelines.
The Forward Operating Base Badagry, under Captain Omotayo’s leadership, has reiterated its resolve to remain a key player in the fight against smuggling and other maritime crimes along Nigeria’s western maritime corridor.
