The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 13,800 liters of petrol and 71 bags of foreign rice in a series of anti-smuggling operations conducted along the Badagry creeks in Lagos. The seizures were carried out by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry between March 7 and 14, 2025, according to a statement released by the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Oyeleye Omotayo, on Sunday.
Captain Omotayo revealed that the operations were part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to curb smuggling and other illegal activities within its area of responsibility. “In continuation of our fight against smuggling, a targeted operation was launched on Friday, March 14, at 2:54 a.m.,” he stated.
The operations, driven by intelligence reports, led to the interception of the smuggled goods. Naval operatives conducted separate raids, focusing on disrupting the activities of smugglers and confiscating contraband items intended for illegal export.
“The smugglers initially evaded our water patrol but were intercepted by our land patrol unit around 3:30 a.m. During the operation, 71 bags of foreign rice were discovered and seized. The suspects fled upon sighting our patrol at 4:22 a.m.,” Omotayo explained. The seized rice has been transported to the base for further action in line with established procedures.
In a related operation, the Navy received intelligence at 12:15 a.m. on March 14 about a stash of petrol near Bollington Beach in the Badagry creeks. The fuel was reportedly being prepared for illegal transportation to the Benin Republic using wooden boats. “Our team swiftly responded to the intelligence and moved to the location. Four vehicles intended for smuggling were found at the shoreline, but the suspects escaped with their keys,” Omotayo added.
A breakdown of the petrol seizures revealed the following:
- 234 jerry cans, each containing 25 liters of petrol, totaling 5,850 liters, were confiscated and taken to the base.
- An additional 7,770 liters of petrol were seized in other operations across Badagry communities.
- On March 7, 6,770 liters of petrol stored in 30-liter and 40-liter jerry cans were intercepted at a filling station, alongside 188 empty jerry cans.
- On March 8, 40 jerry cans, each holding 25 liters of petrol, amounting to 1,000 liters, were seized in the Farasime community following intelligence from Tongeji Island.
Captain Omotayo emphasized that the seized petrol, totaling 7,950 liters from the operations on March 7 and 8, was processed in accordance with the law to prevent it from re-entering the market.
He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to intensifying efforts to combat smuggling and other criminal activities along the Badagry-Porto Novo creeks. “In line with the Federal Government’s directive and Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla’s Strategic Directive 2023-06, FOB Badagry has stepped up its operations, achieving significant successes,” he said.
Omotayo issued a stern warning to smugglers, their collaborators, and sponsors, urging them to desist from illegal activities or face the full force of the law. “The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in its mission to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and economic interests,” he concluded.
