Mr Usman said the discovery was made possible through “a robust intelligence network” and the vigilance of naval personnel.
The commanding officer, Aliyu Abdullahi, said during the donation that the gesture was to promote waterway safety.
The navy spokesman said that a big wooden boat laden with 40,000 litres of crude oil was seized in Rivers State on March 8.
The chief of naval staff urged the residents to maintain the project for it to serve the desired purpose.
“We are here to ensure that the peace in this state will continue and extend to the whole country,” he said.
A source said the smugglers were about to load the bags of foreign parboiled rice into their awaiting vehicles when the navy operatives swept down on them.
The commander said the arrest demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s resolve and commitment to reduce maritime-related crimes to the barest minimum.
He said the team had, on January 6, apprehended one wooden and one fibre boat laden with about 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil around Krakrama general area in Rivers.
The chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), made the recommendation at the 2025 budget defence session in Abuja on Monday.
Mr Osuman said the 109 bags of foreign rice were being handed over to J.I. Ohagwu, the officer in charge of operations at Seme Customs.
