The Commander Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT and Maritime Component Commander of Operation AWATSE, Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga has disclosed the interception of a large wooden boat laden with over 150 bags of foreign parboiled rice around Lagos Anchorage.
The interception which took place in the early hours of 25th November 2023 was made possible with the help of The Maritime Domain Awareness Facility the Falcon eye Alignment, and the Base Quick Response Team under ongoing Operation WATER GUARD.
Following established protocols, the bags of rice were transported to the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT and were handed over to officials of the Nigeria Customs Service for further necessary action.
The action of the Nigerian Navy in confiscating contrabands and particularly the prevention of importation of foreign rice into the country will undoubtedly boost the efforts of local farmers towards revenue generation necessary to ameliorate poverty and food insecurity for economic prosperity.
According to a statement by the Base Information Officer, NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Sub-Lieutenant Happiness Collins said the Nigerian Navy has vowed to sustain efforts at enforcing custom laws and assist in upholding government policies that empower small and medium-scale enterprises (SME) to flourish.
This interception further highlights the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff towards curbing illegal activities within the nation’s maritime domain.
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