Determined to get rid of smugglers and economic saboteurs, the Nigerian Navy has intercepted a wooden boat laden with 162 bags of foreign parboiled rice off the shore of Lagos.
According to statement signed by Commodore Bashir Mohammed on Sunday in Lagos. He said this happened at about 3.30 pm on June 8 when Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT was on a routine patrol.
“Preliminary investigations by the Base reveals that the bags of rice were all foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from Republic of Benin.
“In line with the Nigerian Navy Standard Operating Procedures, NNS BEECROFT on Friday, July 9 handed over the Cotonou boat and 162 bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service,” the Commodore said.
Mohammed warned smugglers to steer clear off Lagos maritime environment.
He said that the base would be relentless to bring an end to smuggling within its area of operations in line with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo’s strategic directive for 2021 to 2025.
“As partners for a safe maritime environment, members of the public, especially our host communities, are enjoined to kindly furnish the base with credible information to assist in curbing activities of criminal elements and economic saboteurs,” he appealed.
