Navy hands over seized contrabands, victims of human trafficking to agencies in Badagry
The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos has handed over seized contrabands and rescued victims of human trafficking to relevant agencies in Badagry.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
According to him, the seized items were intercepted during a series of targeted, intelligence-led operations conducted by personnel of the Base within its Area of Operations (AOO).
“In line with the Nigerian Navy’s sustained operations to curb smuggling, human trafficking, and other cross-border crimes within its AOO, the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BADAGRY has recorded major operational successes.
“Through a series of targeted, intelligence-driven operations conducted along the Badagry-Porto Novo Creek, and land corridors, the Base intercepted contraband items intended for illegal trade and rescued vulnerable persons.
“During patrols along the Badagry-Porto Novo Creek and adjoining waterways, own team intercepted and confiscated a total of 529 bags of foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into the country.
“In keeping with extant regulations and NN Standard Operating Procedures, the entire consignment was formally handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, July 20, 2026,” he said .
The Commanding Officer said that a total of 420 bags of seized of rice were handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command at about 10a.m, while 109 bags were handed over to the NCS Western Marine Command at about 11.05a.m at the Base Jetty.
“Similarly, targeted operations within the Badagry general area resulted in the interception and confiscation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol being smuggled out of the country, alongside vehicles utilized for the illicit activity.
‘On Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at about 10am, FOB BADAGRY formally handed over 3 vehicles, 51 gallons of PMS, and 11 empty gallons to representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Badagry Command.
“It is also worthy of mention that on Friday, July 17, 2026, the Base executed a successful operation against human trafficking within its AOO, leading to the rescue of 2 victims.
“In compliance with the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) on the protection of victims of human trafficking, the rescued individuals were conveyed on Sunday July 19, 2026 to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk for documentation and biometric capture.
“Thereafter, at about 2.15.p.m, on the same day, they were formally handed over to officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Ikeja Office for rehabilitation and further investigation,” he said.
“These sustained operations and seamless handovers underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to inter-agency collaboration, national economic security, and the protection of human lives,” he said.
The Commanding Officer assured that FOB BADAGRY will continue to maintain an aggressive operational posture to deny criminal elements freedom of action within its AOO.
He encouraged members of the public to assist with credible information to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain.
