By Peter Dansu The Nigerian Navy has rescued 11 children from suspected human traffickers and seized large quantities of smuggled rice and...
By Peter Dansu
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 11 children from suspected human traffickers and seized large quantities of smuggled rice and petrol in a series of coordinated operations across coastal communities in Badagry.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry carried out these operations between late May and mid-July 2025, targeting smuggling networks and illegal trafficking routes around Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries.
The Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain B.O. Omotayo, confirmed that the rescue of the trafficking victims took place during three separate missions between June 27 and July 9.
Among those rescued were three 15-year-old girls found at the Owode Border, a 19-year-old intercepted while being taken to the Republic of Benin, and seven teenagers discovered onboard a passenger boat headed for Porto Novo. Authorities believe some of those on the boat may have been recruiters pretending to be guardians.
“Initial investigations suggest the victims, mostly from Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States, were being trafficked to Mali, Cotonou, and Ghana under false promises,” Omotayo said.
The rescued victims have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and to begin the process of reuniting them with their families.
In addition to the rescue operations, the Navy also carried out multiple anti-smuggling raids between June 22 and July 14, leading to the confiscation of 423 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice.
The rice seizures occurred along well-known smuggling routes such as Badagry Market Waterside, Porto Novo Creek, Erekiti axis, the historic Point of No Return, T-Junction, Isalu, and Tongeji Creek.
The Navy also intercepted a total of 16,895 litres of illegally transported petrol (Premium Motor Spirit) during operations from May 29 to July 9. The fuel was seized across several areas, including Bollington, Idale-Badagry, Owode-Apa, Ijofin, Ashikpa, and again at the Badagry Market Waterside. All the intercepted fuel was destroyed as a warning to deter further smuggling activities.
Following standard Navy procedures, the FOB handed over the seized rice to the Nigeria Customs Service. Of the total, 364 bags were transferred to Superintendent I.N. Dauda of the Western Marine Command, and 59 bags were handed to Deputy Superintendent A.U. Abubakar of the Seme Area Command for proper documentation and processing.
“These efforts are in line with the strategic vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as stated in the CNS Strategic Directive 06–2023,” Omotayo said. He added that the directive emphasizes maritime security, protection of national economic interests, and stronger cooperation among government agencies.
He assured the public that FOB Badagry remains committed to professionalism and working closely with local communities to combat transnational crimes and protect national assets.
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