The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on smuggling activities with the interception of 130 bags of foreign parboiled rice during a targeted operation along the Badagry waterways in Lagos State.
The seizure was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry as part of ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of smugglers operating within FOB Badagry’s Area of Operations.
According to him, naval troops conducted a coordinated raid along the Panshi–Ijofin creeks leading to the Badagry–Porto Novo waterways at about 4:30 a.m. on May 6, 2026.
“The operation aimed to disrupt smuggling activities, apprehend suspects, and confiscate items intended for illegal transport into the country,” the statement said.
Folorunsho explained that the suspected smugglers fled the scene upon sighting naval personnel, abandoned the contraband in the process.
He noted that operatives subsequently discovered and confiscated 130 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria through illegal routes.
The seized items were immediately evacuated to FOB Badagry for further necessary action in line with extant procedures, while the operation was successfully concluded without incident at about 5:00 p.m. on the same day.
The Navy spokesperson added that the latest interception followed the recent seizure and handover of 125 bags of smuggled foreign rice by Naval Base Epe to the Nigeria Customs Service, underscoring the service’s sustained offensive against smuggling networks operating within the maritime and littoral environment.
He reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to dismantle smuggling networks and deny economic saboteurs freedom of action within the nation’s maritime domain.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and sustaining aggressive operations aimed at securing the maritime environment against all forms of illegal activities,” he stated.
