The Nigerian navy catches 16 boats transporting 1,000 bags of illegal rice.

The Nigerian navy catches 16 boats transporting 1,000 bags of illegal rice.
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Deborah Dan-Awoh Deborah Dan-Awoh two minutes prior to this In Badagry, Lagos State, the Nigerian Navy has stepped up its efforts to stop smuggling and has stopped 16 fibre boats carrying 1,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice. Officers from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry conducted the operation on Saturday, which thwarted what seemed to be a coordinated attempt to import illegal goods into the nation. According to Yafin community sources who talked to the News Agency of Nigeria, the smugglers arrived at around 7:30 a.m. and loaded the vehicles with rice from the boats. Vehicles to convey the products started to arrive in a matter of minutes. Prior to the smugglers finishing the move, naval, Agents arrived. Some people reportedly dove into the water to get away, while others ran away and went into hiding, according to witnesses. To avoid being caught, the drivers of the waiting cars sped off. The 1,000 bags of rice were confiscated by naval authorities, who then loaded them back into the boats and took them to their base. No firearms were fired, and there was no resistance faced during the operation. Following this ad, news continues. The goal of this interception is to stop illegal trade in Badagry, a border town that is known for smuggling because of its closeness to the Benin Republic. Foreign parboiled rice is regularly smuggled across the border due to Nigeria's ban on imported rice, and Badagry is a major hub for these activities. The most recent seizure demonstrates the government's growing efforts.  to safeguard regional agricultural output and implement trade restrictions. Separately, on February 1, naval authorities confiscated 3,375 litres of gasoline from a fuel station in Ajara, Badagry. Security sources claim that prior to the agents' arrival, the fuel was being stolen for illicit export. When the smugglers saw the Navy, they ran away and left the fuel behind. Things to be aware about On February 5, Navy officers stopped a speedboat transporting nine suspected human trafficking victims along the Badagry-Porto-Novo Creek in another interception. Authorities think the people were being taken to Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, when the operation took place around 2:30 p.m. To ascertain the circumstances of their movement and whether they were being trafficked against their will, more inquiries are being conducted. Since assuming control of Capt. Leye Omotayo of FOB Badagry has increased collaboration with other security agencies, implemented 24-hour surveillance, and reinforced security patrols along the waterways. Smuggling and trafficking in the area have decreased as a result of these actions, which have produced a number of successful interceptions. Badagry continues to be a key focus in the government's war on smuggling as it enforces its prohibition on imported rice. Although smuggling networks are still in operation, the Navy's recent victories indicate that security forces are strengthening their hold on illicit trade routes. Authorities say they will continue to be on the lookout for any further breaches near the southwest border of Nigeria.

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