Nigerian Navy Seizes 13,800 Litres of Petrol and 71 Bags of Foreign Rice in Badagry

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Nigeria Navy 

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry of the Nigerian Navy has intercepted 13,800 litres of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice in a series of anti-smuggling operations along the Badagry creeks.  

The Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, confirming that the seizures took place between March 7 and 14, 2024. According to him, naval operatives acted on credible intelligence about suspected smuggling activities in the area, leading to the successful interception.  

In an early morning operation on Friday, March 14, at 2:54 am, naval personnel launched a targeted mission to disrupt smuggling networks.  

"The smugglers initially evaded our water patrol but were intercepted by our land patrol team around 3:30 am," Omotayo stated. "A total of 71 bags of foreign rice were seized, while the suspects fled upon sighting our patrol at 4:22 am."  

The confiscated rice has been moved to the base for further action in line with standard procedures.  

On the same day, at12:15 am, naval intelligence uncovered a large stockpile of petrol at Bollington Beach in the Badagry creeks. Reports indicated that the fuel was being prepared for illegal export via wooden boats to Benin Republic.  

A search of the area led to the discovery of 234 jerry cans (25 litres each), amounting to 5,850 litres of petrol, which were swiftly confiscated.  

The Commanding Officer also revealed that 7,770 litres of petrol were seized in separate operations across Badagry communities. Additionally, 7,950 litres of petrol previously intercepted from **two filling stations and Tongeji Island on March 7 and 8** were processed in accordance with the law.  

The Nigerian Navy remains committed to curbing illegal smuggling activities, safeguarding the nation’s economic interests, and maintaining security within its territorial waters.  

(The GUARDIAN)