Jude Diugwu
The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, on Tuesday handed over five seized vehicles and several cannabis sativa to Nigeria Police and Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Lt. Cdr Bitrus Zoaka, the Base Operations Officer (BOO) FOB, representing Navy Captain Augustus Amakiri, the Commanding Officer, FOB disclosed this in press briefing with newsmen in Badagry.
Zoaka said the items were arrested in transit, loaded with suspected cannabis sativa, petroleum and some foreign parboiled rice.
According to him the intention is to smuggle them to Republic of Benin and the rice to other parts of the state within the country respectively.
He said that all the drivers of the seized vehicles abandoned their vehicles and escaped for fear of being arrested by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Base.
“At about 11.01.p.m on Sept. 18, the FOB, Badagry, received credible intelligence regarding a suspected storage site for hard drugs at a building in Zango, Sème.
“Acting promptly, a team was dispatched to the location, where several bottles of codeine and cards of tramadol were seized.
“Subsequently, about 12.10.a.m on Sept. 22, further intelligence was received about another suspected drug storage site at Akrokoji in the Akoro community, Badagry.
“The team also proceeded to the location and conducted a thorough search on foot, leading to the discovery of four small sacks containing several parcels of cannabis sativa, buried within a compound.
“Similarly, at about 11.38.a.m on Sept.25, actionable intelligence pointed to another suspected drug storage site at Kweme community in Badagry.
The BOO said that the QRT swiftly moved to the location and carried out a search.
“Two large Ghana Must Go bags containing several parcels of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, hidden inside a house within the community.
“The seized illegal drugs will be handed over today to NDLEA.
“These sustained efforts of NN FOB Badagry demonstrates its unwavering commitment to maritime security within its Area Of Responsibility (AOR).
“They are all geared towards complying with the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Strategic Directive 2023-6 which is to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.
Zoaka said all the seizures made were subsequently towed and driven to the Base for safe keep.
He said the Base was handing over the intercepted vehicles and cannabis sativa to both Nigeria Police and NDLEA respectively,
Zoaka said the seized other items arrested along with the vehicles would be handed over to appropriate authorities in due course.
Receiving the exhibit, Mr Ogbogoh Emmanuel, the Assistant Commander Narcotics, Seme Special Command of NDLEA promised to unravel the people behind the seized items.
Also, Chief Superintendent Folajimi Agosile, the Divisional Police Officer, Badagry Police Station said thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the ownership of the vehicles.
The undisclosed kegs of petroleum products were destroyed by FOB in their base.
While on routine patrols from Feb.12 till day the FOB within the Badagry environs intercepted and arrested in total 14 vehicles, 5 motorcycles and one tricycle during the period under.
On October 24 the FOB Badagry handed over nine vehicles, 5 motorcycles and one tricycle to the (NPF) in line with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directive and the Harmonized Standard Procedure (HSOP) 2016.
