The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, has intercepted a smuggling syndicate, seizing 27 bags of illegal products suspected to be Cannabis sativa in the process.
The Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy, FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, disclosed this on Wednesday at an official handing over ceremony of the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Seme Special Area Command.
Adams-Aliu said the illegal products, valued at about N35 million, were recovered following an intelligence tip-off.
He said: “On Friday, September 2023, at about 19:00a.m., the Nigerian Navy FOB Badagry got an intelligence of suspected smuggling activities.
“The intelligence indicated that a boat was sighted offloading products suspected to be Cannabis sativa at Pako Beach close to Ajido, seaside of FOB Badagry Area of Operations.
“Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team, led by the Base Operations Officer and the Base Intelligence Officer proceeded immediately to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest. On sighting the team, the smugglers abandoned the narcotics and fled.”
Adams-Aliu, who said the adjoining communities were raided but no other products or suspects were found, disclosed that investigations were ongoing in conjunction with other security agencies to identify the drug trafficking syndicate, arrest, and prosecute them in due course.
Receiving the illegal products, Commander of Narcotics and the Area Commander, Seme Area Command, Dinneys Fingere Owen, expressed gratitude to Adams-Aliu, for the efforts to intercept the products and stressed that investigations would commence with a view to arresting and bringing the culprits to justice.
Owen stated that the NDLEA would continue to collaborate with other sister agencies to go beyond enforcements and intensify the enlightenment campaigns against drugs.
“This is part of the reason the NDLEA introduced the War Against Drugs Abuse (WADA) initiative, which has seen the agency collaborate with organisations and institutions to preach the message against drugs,” he said.