Saturday, July 18, 2026

Navy hands over 287 seized bags of rice to customs in Badagry

The FOB commanding officer said the operatives seized the bags of rice during different operations along the Badagry Port Novo waterways.

• March 25, 2025
Bags of rice used to illustrate the story
Bags of rice used to illustrate the story

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, on Tuesday, handed over 287 seized bags of foreign parboiled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, the FOB commanding officer, said the operatives seized the bags of rice in different operations along the Badagry Port Novo waterways.

Mr Omotayo, represented by Lt. Cdr. Bamidele Afolabi, the base operations officer, said the seizures were a continued effort to ensure maritime security along the Badagry– Porto Novo creek and its adjoining land areas.

“The FOB, Badagry, has intensified its operation, significantly disrupting the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice into the country.

“In separate operations on March 4, March 8 and March 19, the quick response team of the base was able to seize and confiscate 287 bags of foreign parboiled rice within its assigned area of operation.

“This is in line with the Nigeria Navy Standard Operating Procedure. The base handed over 71 – 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice to the NCS,  Seme area command.

“The navy also handed over 216 – 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice to the NCS, Western Marine command,” he said.

Mr Omotayo noted that the sustained efforts of FOB Badagry formed part of the operational trust drawn from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s Strategic Directive.

“The base also remains committed to strengthening the collaboration between sister agencies and host communities,” he added.

Abubakar Adamu, the deputy comptroller of customs enforcement at the Seme area command, lauded the navy for handing over the seized bags of rice.

“The handing over encourages more synergy between the agencies,” he said.

Also, Benjamin Lumba, spokesperson for the Western Marine command and chief superintendent of customs, said the synergy would keep smugglers out of jobs.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

suspected phone thieves

States

Niger: Police rescue two suspected phone thieves from mob

He identified the suspects as Hassan Abdullahi, 20, and Khalifa Bashir, 22. 

COURT OF APPEAL

Heading 5

Court of Appeal nullifies Electoral Act provisions on parties’ primary election, membership register

Zenith Party argued that the disputed Electoral Act provisions unlawfully interfered with the internal affairs of political parties. 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos

Governor Sanwo-Olu inaugurates climate investment fund

Mr Sanwo-Olu described the fund as a landmark intervention. 

Kano-Daura rail project

NationWide

NRC reaffirms police partnership to protect rail assets

Mr Opeifa described the nation’s railway infrastructure as critical national assets that must be safeguarded.