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)