The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry on Tuesday handed over 97 bags of seized foreign parboiled rice and 191 parcels of cannabis sativa to the Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), respectively.

Speaking at the handing over, Navy Capt. Busuyi Omotayo, the Commanding Officer of the FOB, said the seizures were in line with ongoing efforts to enhance maritime security and curb smuggling activities within its assigned areas of operation.

According to him, this includes the territorial waters, backwaters and adjacent land areas.
Omotayo represented by Cdr. Shuaibu Yakubu, the Executive Officer of the Base, said the Base had sustained high-intensity operations.

“These operations led to significant seizures of contrabands across the area of operation,” he said.

“Specifically, in separate operations conducted between April 26 and May 14, the Base Quick Response Team (QRT) successfully confiscated a total of 97 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.

“Also, a total of 191 wraps of contraband suspected to be cannabis sativa, weighing about 114.6kg, were seized in three separate operations around Gbanko, Gbetrome, and Ashipa between April 39 and May 14.

“Additionally, about 307 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol totaling about 7,675 litres were seized in four separate operations at Simtop Jetty, Tosuvi, Ashikpa and Panshi areas between April 23 and May 3.”

Omotayo noted that in line with extant regulations and the Nigerian Navy Standard Operating Procedures, the 97 bags of rice were officially handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command.