TCNews

By Our Reporter

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT Rear Admiral Malami Haruna, has warned smugglers of contraband items as well as other criminal elements operating within the Base Area of Operations to desist from all forms of criminalities.

Speaking shortly after the Naval Base arrested and handed over a total of 5 suspected smugglers and 1,441 bags of foreign rice to Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Command and Western Marine Command respectively from September 2022 to February 2023, as contained in a press release made available to newsmen by Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, Base Information Officer, Rear Admiral Haruna disclosed that the Base has intensified efforts to ensure compliance with the existing ban on importation of foreign rice into the country by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He further stated that NNS BEECROFT will not rest on its oars in its effort to rid the waters of spoilers and all criminal elements in line with its mandate as directed by the Chief of the Naval Staff. 

The release partly read, “Specifically, on 14 September 2022, the Base patrol team intercepted a large wooden boat smuggling about 465 bags of foreign rice around Ibeju Lekki beach area while the smugglers narrowly escaped. Accordingly, the Base handed over the contraband cargo of 465 bags of foreign rice to the Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos Free Trade Command on Friday 16 September 2022. 

“Similarly, on Tuesday 1 November 2022, The Base handed over 5 suspected smugglers and 300 bags of foreign rice to Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command for further investigation and prosecution. The suspects and the contraband were intercepted on Wednesday 14 October 2022 by the Base patrol team during routine patrol around Badagry maritime area.

“Additionally, on Monday 24 October 2022, NNS BEECROFT gunboat patrol team intercepted a large wooden boat laden with 209 bags of foreign rice around Badagry Beach area. However, the suspected smugglers jumped overboard to evade arrest. Accordingly, the contraband items were handed over to Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command on Wednesday 30 November 2022.

” Furthermore, on Wednesday 30 November 2022, the Base gunboat patrol team intercepted 2 large wooden boats laden with 312 bags of foreign rice. While on Wednesday 8 February 2023, the patrol team also intercepted a wooden boat laden with 155 bags of foreign rice around Ibeju Lekki Beach area. Accordingly, the Base handed over 467 bags of foreign rice to Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command on Friday 10 February 2023. 

Rear Admiral Haruna seized the opportunity to further assure law abiding citizens of the unwavering commitment and continuous support of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo CFR, Admiralty Medal, towards curbing illegalities within the nation’s maritime domain thereby boosting national prosperity.