The Nigerian Navy has disrupted an attempt to smuggle foreign parboiled rice into Nigeria, intercepting 364 bags of the commodity during an intelligence-led operation conducted along the country’s maritime border in Badagry, Lagos State.
The seizure was made by personnel of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) BADAGRY during a series of operations carried out within its Area of Operations.
According to an official statement signed by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director Naval Information, the intercepted consignment comprised 302 good bags and 62 damaged bags of foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into the country.
The Navy subsequently handed over the seized rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, on August 18, 2026.
The formal handover took place at the FOB BADAGRY Jetty in accordance with extant regulations and established procedures governing the handling of seized items.
The Navy said the operation demonstrated its continued efforts to protect Nigeria’s maritime borders and safeguard the country’s economic interests against smuggling and other forms of cross-border criminality.
It stressed that sustained collaboration with other government agencies remains critical to effectively combating illegal activities along the nation’s maritime corridors.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining effective maritime security and supporting relevant agencies in protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters, borders and economic interests.
The Navy also called on members of the public and maritime stakeholders to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and disrupting criminal activities within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
