Smugglers Flee as Navy Invades Badagry Creeks, Seizes 13,800 Litres of Petrol, 71 Bags of Foreign Rice

By Dansu Peter  Smugglers operating in the Badagry creeks met their match as the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) launched a ser...

By Dansu Peter 

Smugglers operating in the Badagry creeks met their match as the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) launched a series of targeted operations, forcing the culprits to abandon their illicit goods and flee. In a decisive crackdown between March 7 and 14, naval operatives seized 13,800 litres of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice, dealing a major blow to smuggling networks in the region.

Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, confirmed the successful raids, stating that intelligence-led operations had led to the interception of the contraband.

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“In continuation of our fight against smuggling within our operational area, a special operation was launched in the early hours of March 14. The smugglers attempted to evade our water patrol but were intercepted by our land patrol unit,” Omotayo said.

By 4:22 a.m., naval personnel had confiscated 71 bags of foreign rice, while the suspected smugglers abandoned their loot and fled upon sighting security forces. The seized goods were subsequently transported to the naval base for further action.

Earlier the same day, at about 12:15 a.m., intelligence reports revealed that petrol was being stockpiled at a beach near Bollington in Badagry, intended for smuggling into Benin Republic via wooden boats. Responding swiftly, naval operatives stormed the location, discovering four vehicles packed with jerry cans. Although the suspects managed to escape with their keys, a thorough search of the area led to the seizure of 5,850 litres of petrol.

Further operations in Badagry communities resulted in the confiscation of an additional 7,770 litres of petrol. On March 7, security forces intercepted 6,770 litres of petrol stored in jerry cans at a filling station, along with 188 empty jerry cans. Another operation on March 8 led to the seizure of 1,000 litres of petrol in the Farasime community, based on intelligence from Tongeji Island.

Omotayo reiterated the Navy’s commitment to eradicating smuggling activities in line with the Federal Government’s directives and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s Strategic Directive 2023-06.

“The Navy will not relent in ensuring that criminal elements disrupting economic activities along the Badagry-Porto Novo creeks are stopped. Perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors of these illegal activities are warned to desist or face the full wrath of the law,” he declared.

He also assured continued collaboration with sister agencies, particularly the Nigeria Customs Service, and reaffirmed the Navy’s support for local communities in the fight against smuggling.