The Nigerian Navy on Thursday handed over 423 bags of foreign rice seized from smugglers and 11 victims of child trafficking to the respective authorities concerned in Badagry, Lagos.

The authorities are the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Navy Captain Leye Omotayo, the commanding officer, Nigerian Navy Federal Operating Base, Badagry, made this known when handing over the seized items and rescued victims.

Mr Omotayo, represented by the base executive officer (BEO), Cdr. Shuaibu Yakubu said personnel of the base intercepted 423 bags of foreign parboiled rice between June 22 and July 14.

“These seizures occurred during a series of targeted, intelligence-driven operations across key locations, including Badagry Market Waterside, Badagry-Porto Novo Creek, Erekiti axis, Point of No Return, T-Junction, Isalu and Tongeji Creek,” the commander said.

Mr Omotayo said that in line with the Nigerian Navy’s Standard Operating Procedures and in keeping with extant regulations, the entire consignment of 423 bags of rice had been formally handed over to customs.

Three hundred and sixty-four bags of rice were handed over to SC N. Dauda of the Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs, while 59 bags were handed over to DSC Umar Abubakar of Seme Area Command.

Also, the commander said that in its continued effort to combat human trafficking, the base rescued 11 suspected victims of human trafficking in three separate incidents between June 27 and July 9, 2025.

“The victims included three 15-year-old girls rescued at Owode border, a 19-year-old girl intercepted en route to the Benin Republic, and seven teenagers discovered onboard a passenger boat en route to Porto Novo, some of whom were suspected recruiters,” Mr Omotayo stated.

He said the victims who had been handed over to NAPTIP were mostly from Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States and were reportedly being trafficked to Mali, Cotonou, and Ghana, respectively, under false pretences.

Mr Omotayo also said the base intercepted 16,895 litres of petrol during targeted operations carried out between May 29 and July 9.

“These operations took place at Bollington, Idale-Badagry, Owode-Apa, Ijolin, Ashipa, and Badagry Market Waterside.

“All seized petroleum was destroyed to deter future smuggling attempts,” he said.

Mr Omotayo said these efforts were in furtherance of the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as outlined in CNS Strategic Directive 06-2023.

“FOB Badagry remains steadfast in its mandate, operating with professionalism and dedication while continuing to build strong ties with host communities, sister services, and other security agencies.

“This is in the fight against transnational crimes and other threats to the nation’s economic security,” he said.

(NAN)