The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, in a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted four boats laden with 518 bags of suspected smuggled parboiled rice along the Badagry waterways.

The operation, carried out on July 31, followed credible intelligence received by the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on the movement of suspected smugglers through the waterways.

The successful operation involved personnel from NNS Beecroft, the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NNSBS), and officers of the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He stated that the patrol team was deployed by the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command.

Speaking on the operation, the Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Patrick Ntadi, said the interception was made possible through timely intelligence and the support of the Nigerian Navy.

“On July 31, my office received credible intelligence that some smugglers were moving with boats through the waterways. Our officers moved in to intercept them, and although there was some resistance, the Navy assisted us in securing the boats,” he said.

According to Ntadi, four boats carrying a total of 518 bags of suspected smuggled parboiled rice were intercepted. He added that no weapons were recovered during the operation.

He commended the Nigerian Navy for its swift response and cooperation, expressing confidence that the partnership between both agencies would continue to strengthen efforts against smuggling and other maritime crimes.

The Navy said the operation underscores its commitment to supporting national efforts to dismantle smuggling networks through effective inter-agency collaboration.

It added that the success of the operation reaffirmed its resolve to prevent Nigeria’s maritime domain and coastal communities from being used as transit routes or safe havens for criminal activities.

According to the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the interception was made possible through sustained surveillance by the Western Regional Control Centre, Falcon Eye, highlighting the service’s growing technological capability in maritime domain awareness.

Adams-Aliu stated that NNS Beecroft would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations and collaborate with relevant security and law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling and other maritime crimes in support of national security and economic stability.