The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry has recorded significant operational successes in its sustained crackdown on smuggling, human trafficking, and other cross-border crimes within its Area of Operations.
Speaking during the handover of seized items and rescued trafficking victims to relevant government agencies, the Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Captain Sa'id Muhammad Kabir, said the achievements were the result of intelligence-driven operations conducted along the Badagry-Porto Novo Creek, adjoining waterways, and land corridors.
According to him, naval personnel intercepted and confiscated a total of 529 bags of foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria during routine patrols along the Badagry-Porto Novo Creek and surrounding waterways.
Captain Kabir disclosed that in line with Nigerian Navy Standard Operating Procedures and existing regulations, the seized rice was handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, July 20, 2026. Of the total, 420 bags were transferred to the NCS Seme Area Command, while 109 bags were handed over to the NCS Western Marine Command at the FOB Badagry Jetty.
The Navy also recorded another breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations by intercepting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) allegedly being smuggled out of the country.
During the operation, three vehicles used for the illegal activity, 51 gallons of PMS, and 11 empty gallons were seized.
The items were formally handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Badagry Command, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
In a related development, the naval base successfully foiled a human trafficking operation on Friday, July 17, 2026, leading to the rescue of two victims.
The victims were later taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk for documentation and biometric capture before being handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ikeja Office, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, for rehabilitation and further investigation.
Captain Kabir said the successful operations and prompt handover of seized items and rescued victims reflect the Nigerian Navy's commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, safeguarding Nigeria's economic interests, and protecting lives.
He reaffirmed that FOB Badagry would sustain its aggressive operational posture against smugglers, traffickers, and other criminal elements operating within its Area of Operations, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would support efforts to secure the nation's maritime domain.
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