Navy hands over 125 bags of seized smuggled rice to Customs in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy has handed over 125 bags of seized foreign parboiled rice to the Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following a successful anti-smuggling operation conducted by personnel of Naval Base EPE in Lagos State.

Operatives of the FOU led by Superintendent of Customs Chinedu Eboh, received the seized items at a formal handover held at Naval Base EPE on Tuesday.

Providing details of the operation, Navy spokesman, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho disclosed that personnel of the Base
acting on credible intelligence on 29 April 2026 at 0300hours, intercepted a Peugeot J5 van with registration number EKY-168YC.

He said the vehicle was found conveying 125 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into Lagos State through illegal border routes.

“In line with extant regulations and established inter-agency collaboration procedures, the seized items were formally handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service for further investigation and necessary action, ” he said.

The handover was conducted on behalf of the Commander, Naval Base Epe, Captain Levi Deyin, and represented by the Acting Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Elvis Egbe.

Folorunsho said the successful interception and subsequent handover underscored the Nigerian Navy’s continued commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at combating smuggling, protecting the nation’s economy, and strengthening internal security through effective inter-agency cooperation.

He reiterated the Navy’s resolve to sustain operations against all forms of illegal activities within Nigeria’s maritime and littoral environment.