Navy Hands Over Seized Smuggled Rice to Customs in Lagos
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over 58 bags of suspected smuggled foreign parboiled rice to the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos.
The handover followed the interception of the contraband by naval operatives during a routine patrol in the Apapa axis, according to a statement signed on Thursday by the Base Information Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim.
Ibrahim said the rice was seized on August 31, 2025, when the patrol team stationed at Liverpool, Apapa, intercepted two wooden boats conveying the items along the waterways.
Commander of NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Paul Nimmyel, said the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence and formed part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
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“Operatives intercepted two wooden boats conveying 58 bags of suspected smuggled foreign parboiled rice. However, the suspects abandoned the boats upon sighting the patrol team,” Nimmyel said.
He stressed that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in its stance against maritime crimes, particularly smuggling, which undermines national economic interests.
“The Nigerian Navy abhors all forms of maritime crime, especially contraband smuggling within Nigeria’s coastal waters. We remain committed to working with other security agencies to ensure the maritime environment is safe for legitimate socio-economic activities to thrive,” the Rear Admiral added.
Nimmyel commended the professionalism of the officers involved in the operation and called on members of the public to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
The seized rice was formally handed over to Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Kehinde Saliman, of the Western Marine Command, Apapa, for further investigation and necessary action.
By PRNigeria
