Nigerian Navy Intercepts 423 Bags of Smuggled Rice, 16,895 Litres of Fuel, Rescues Human Trafficking Victims in Badagry

 




In a series of coordinated and intelligence-led operations, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry has intercepted 423 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice, confiscated 16,895 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and rescued multiple victims of human trafficking within its area of responsibility.


These breakthroughs were achieved between May and July 2025 as part of the Navy’s renewed efforts to suppress transnational crimes, economic sabotage, and human trafficking in Nigeria’s coastal and border communities.



According to a press statement released by FOB Badagry, the rice seizures were carried out between June 22 and July 14, 2025, during targeted patrols in notorious smuggling hotspots including Badagry Market Waterside, Badagry-Porto Novo Creek, Erekiti axis, Point of No Return, T-Junction, Isalu, and Tongeji Creek. These efforts reflect the Navy’s sustained commitment to tackling illegal importation through creeks and backwaters.


In a similar crackdown on fuel smuggling, FOB Badagry intercepted a total of 16,895 litres of PMS in multiple raids conducted between May 29 and July 9, 2025. The operations covered locations such as Bollington, Idale-Badagry, Owode-Apa, Ijofin, Ashikpa, and again, Badagry Market Waterside. In accordance with naval procedures, all confiscated fuel was destroyed on site to deter future smuggling attempts.



As part of inter-agency coordination, the seized rice was formally handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for further action. The Base Executive Officer, Commander S. Yakubu, represented the Commanding Officer in handing over 364 bags to Superintendent of Customs I.N. Dauda of the Western Marine Command and 59 bags to Deputy Superintendent of Customs A.U. Abubakar of the Seme Area Command.


In a separate operation targeting human trafficking networks, FOB Badagry also rescued a total of 11 individuals—believed to be trafficking victims—between June 27 and July 9. Among those rescued were three 15-year-old girls at the Owode Border, a 19-year-old girl intercepted en route to the Republic of Benin, and seven teenagers discovered onboard a passenger boat heading toward Porto Novo. Some of the passengers were suspected to be recruiters.



Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims, hailing from Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States, were reportedly being trafficked to Mali, Ghana, and Cotonou under false pretenses. The rescued individuals have since been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for proper investigation and family reunification.


These operations align with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as captured in the CNS Strategic Directive 06-2023, which emphasizes maritime security, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive anti-smuggling measures across Nigeria’s borders.



“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to its constitutional mandate of securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and border corridors against economic sabotage and human exploitation,” the statement concluded, while reaffirming the Navy's pledge to deepen cooperation with sister agencies and local communities in the fight against transnational crimes.

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