Navy hands over vehicles used for smuggling to police

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy in Badagry has handed over some suspected smuggling vehicles to the Nigeria Police.

The vehicles included nine cars, one tricycle, and six motorcycles.

Lt. Cdr. Bitrus Zoaka, the Base Operations Officer, representing the Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Augustus Amakiri, on Friday, explained that the vehicles were seized between Feb. 24 to date.

Zoaka said that these vehicles were intercepted while transporting suspected petroleum products and foreign parboiled rice, intended for smuggling to the Republic of Benin and other parts of Nigeria.

“The drivers abandoned their vehicles, motorcycles and tricycle during the operation, fearing arrest by the Quick Response Team (QRT). The items were subsequently towed to the base for safekeeping,”
Zoaka added.

He noted that the petroleum products and rice had already been handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service.

“With approval from the Commanding Officer, eight cars, one Jeep, six motorcycles, and one tricycle were officially handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Badagry Division, for further investigation.

“This is in line with the Harmonised Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution (HSOP-AD&P)2016.1

Lt. Cdr. Zoaka said that FOB Badagry’s sustained efforts demonstrate its commitment to ensuring maritime security in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea, in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive 2023-6.

In response, Mr Folajimi Agosile, the Divisional Police Officer of Badagry Police Station, assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to verify the ownership of the vehicles.