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| Trafficked victims |
The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry has rescued 11 human trafficking victims and intercepted huge hauls of smuggled foreign rice and petrol in a series of high-impact operations.
Between late May and mid-July 2025, the Navy carried out coordinated raids, rescuing victims including three 15-year-old girls at Owode Border, a 19-year-old girl bound for Benin Republic, and seven teenagers aboard a boat to Porto Novo. Shockingly, some passengers were suspected recruiters.
Preliminary investigations revealed the victims mostly from Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States were being trafficked to Mali, Cotonou, and Ghana under false promises. The Navy has since handed them over to NAPTIP for further action and family reunification.
In intelligence-driven operations, the Navy also struck hard against smuggling networks, confiscating 423 bags of foreign parboiled rice along key routes like Badagry Market Waterside, Porto Novo Creek, and Tongeji Creek.
Additionally, they intercepted 16,895 litres of smuggled petrol (PMS) in multiple raids between May 29 and July 9, 2025, with the seized fuel destroyed to deter future illegal activities.
Following Nigerian Navy protocols, the seized rice was handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service 364 bags to the Western Marine Command and 59 bags to the Seme Area Command for further processing.
Navy Captain B.O. Omotayo, FOB Badagry’s Commanding Officer, credited the success to the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic vision, emphasizing the Navy’s commitment to maritime security, economic protection, and inter-agency cooperation.