The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, on Tuesday handed seized five vehicles and hemp to Nigeria Police Force and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Base Operations Officer (BOO), FOB, Lt. Cdr Bitrus Zoaka, representing Navy Capt. Augustus Amakiri, the Commanding Officer, FOB, disclosed this at news briefing in Badagry.
Zoaka said that the items were tracked in transit vehicles, loaded with suspected hemp, petroleum products and some bags of foreign parboiled rice.
He said that the intention of the perpetrators was to smuggle the items to Republic of Benin and the rice to other states in the country.
He also stated that all the drivers of the seized vehicles abandoned their vehicles and escaped, for fear of being arrested by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the base.
“At about 11.01 p.m. on Sept. 18, the FOB, Badagry, received credible intelligence regarding a suspected storage site for hard drugs at a building in Zango, Seme.
“Acting promptly, a team was dispatched to the location, where several bottles of codeine and cartons of tramadol were seized.
“Subsequently, about 12.10 a.m. on Sept. 22, further intelligence was received about another suspected drug storage site at Akrokoji in Akoro community, Badagry,” he said.
Zoaka further stated that the team also proceeded to the location and conducted a thorough search on foot, leading to the discovery of four small sacks containing several parcels of cannabis sativa (hemp), buried within a compound.
“Similarly, at about 11.38.a.m. on Sept. 25, actionable intelligence pointed to another suspected drug storage site at Kweme community in Badagry,” he said.
The BOO said that the QRT swiftly moved to the location and carried out a search.
“Two large ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags containing several parcels of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, hidden inside a house within the community were seized.
“These sustained efforts of Nigerian Navy FOB, Badagry, demonstrate its unwavering commitment to maritime security within its area of responsibility.
“They are all geared toward complying with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive 2023-6, which is to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea,” he added.
Zoaka said that all the seizures made (both illicit drugs and vehicles) were subsequently towed and driven to the base for safe keep.
He said that the base was handing over the intercepted vehicles and hemp to the police and NDLEA respectively.
Receiving the exhibits, Mr Ogbogoh Emmanuel, the Assistant Commander Narcotics, Seme Special Command of NDLEA, promised to unravel the people behind the seized items.
Also, the Divisional Police Officer, Badagry Police Station, CSP Folajimi Agosile, said that thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the ownership of the vehicles.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FOB, within Badagry and its environs, had intercepted and arrested a total of 14 vehicles, five motorcycles and one tricycle while on routine patrols from Feb. 12 till date.
NAN also reports that on Oct. 24, the FOB Badagry, had handed over nine vehicles, five motorcycles and one tricycle to the police, in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directive and the Harmonized Standard Procedure, 2016. (NAN).
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