The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, has achieved significant successes in its ongoing campaign against smuggling, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes within its jurisdiction.
The Base’s recent anti-human trafficking efforts resulted in the rescue of 11 suspected victims in three separate incidents between June 27 and July 9, 2025.
This is according to a statement signed by Navy Captain B.O. Omotayo, Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry on Thursday.
Among the victims were three 15-year-old girls rescued at Owode Border, a 19-year-old girl intercepted en route to the Republic of Benin, and seven teenagers found onboard a passenger boat heading to Porto Novo—some of whom were suspected to be recruiters.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims, mostly from Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States, were being trafficked to destinations including Mali, Cotonou, and Ghana under false pretenses.
The Navy disclosed that all rescued individuals have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and family reunification.
The Base also intercepted a total of 423 bags of foreign parboiled rice during intelligence-driven operations conducted between June 22 and July 14, 2025.
The seizures occurred at key smuggling routes including Badagry Market Waterside, Badagry-Porto Novo Creek, Erekiti axis, Point of No Return, T-Junction, Isalu, and Tongeji Creek.
In a separate series of anti-smuggling operations conducted between May 29 and July 9, 2025, the Base also intercepted 16,895 litres of illegally transported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across locations such as Bollington, Idale-Badagry, Owode-Apa, Ijofin, Ashikpa, and again at Badagry Market Waterside. The seized fuel was subsequently destroyed as a deterrent to future smuggling activities.
In line with the Nigerian Navy’s Standard Operating Procedures and existing inter-agency protocols, the Base formally handed over the 423 bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service. Specifically, 364 bags were transferred to Superintendent of Customs I.N. Dauda of the Western Marine Command, while 59 bags were handed to Deputy Superintendent of Customs A.U. Abubakar of the Seme Area Command for further administrative processing.
These achievements, the Navy said, are in line with the strategic vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as outlined in CNS Strategic Directive 06–2023. The directive emphasises the Nigerian Navy’s pivotal role in securing the maritime environment, safeguarding national economic assets, and fostering inter-agency cooperation.
FOB Badagry reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and community partnership in the fight against transnational crime and economic sabotage.
