The Nigerian Navy has handed over 125 bags of seized foreign parboiled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following a successful anti-smuggling operation carried out by personnel of Naval Base Epe in Lagos State.
The Service, in a statement issued by its Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Wednesday, stated that officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, led by Superintendent of Customs Chinedu Eboh, received the seized items during a formal handover ceremony held at Naval Base Epe on May 5, 2026.
The seizure followed an intelligence-led operation conducted in the early hours of April 29, 2026, when naval personnel intercepted a Peugeot J5 van with registration number EKY-168YC loaded with 125 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into Lagos through illegal border routes.
The Nigerian Navy said the items were transferred to the Nigeria Customs Service in line with existing regulations and established inter-agency cooperation procedures for further investigation and necessary action.
The handover was conducted on behalf of the Commander of Naval Base Epe, Captain Levi Deyin, by the Acting Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Elvis Egbe.
The Navy noted that the successful interception highlights its continued commitment to supporting national efforts against smuggling and other economic crimes, while also strengthening internal security through effective collaboration with sister agencies.
It reaffirmed its resolve to sustain operations aimed at curbing illegal activities within Nigeria’s maritime and littoral environment.
