The Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft on Wednesday intercepted a wooden fishing boat laden with bags of rice in the creeks of Agbara, Lagos State.
The boat containing 44 bags of parboiled rice was apprehended by the NNS patrol team during a routine patrol.
Suspected owners of the fishing boats and the contrabands allegedly took to their heels on sighting the NNS patrol boat on the water.
The Commander, NNS Beecroft, Kolawale Oguntuga, while addressing journalists at the Naval Base parade ground, Apapa Lagos on Thursday, said they have handed the contrabands over to appropriate authorities.
Oguntuga said, “In an operation carried out on October 11, 2023, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team, during a routine patrol around 5.30am aided by the state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, the Falcon Eye Alignment, apprehended a wooden fishing boat laden with bags of rice in the creeks of Agbara in Lagos State.
“The boat’s occupants, upon sighting the patrol team, abandoned ship and fled. The NNS Beecroft patrol team effectively secured the vessel, which was taking in water, and off-loaded a total of 44 bags of parboiled rice into another speedboat.
“Following established protocols, the 44 bags of rice were transported to NNS Beecroft Base and have been handed over to officials of the Nigerian Customs Service for further necessary action.”
Oguntuga further expressed the commitment of the NNS in upholding maritime security and combating illegal activities within the maritime environment.
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