The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, has stated that the Navy will not relent in its effort to pursue the criminals on Nigerians water ways from neighbouring countries.
He stated this during the handover of 72 bags by 40kg of Cannabis Sativa to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Beecroft premises of Navy Western Command, Apapa, Lagos.
He stated that 72 bags of Canabis Sativa, was arrested on June 5, 2023 in the Elegushi area of Lekki, Lagos.
He said the arrest was made possible by a quick response team from the base and the deep blue asset of NIMASA.
“When we got actionable intelligence, we quickly swung into action and deployed 3 boats and on getting to the location, some criminals were discharged from 2 wooden boats and absconded thereby leaving the 72 bags of 40 KG of Cannabis Sativa that is to handed over to the NDLEA today”
“The arrest was made possible by the unrelenting effort at gathering actionable intelligence and the maintenance of credible presence on the water ways of the country, especially Lagos state, under the tenet Operation Water Guard.”
He added that no arrest was made and the preliminary investigation by some of the details has given during the initial remarks and the full investigation will be conducted by the NDLEA after the handover.
The Commander also stated further that these items could have been from the neighboring countries or some parts of Nigeria and most times judging from the experiences of the previous arrest, some of them come from Benin Republic or countries bordering Nigeria.
He noted that the successful achievements was in support and in line with the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechikeu Ogala, adding that Nigerian Navy will not relent in its effort to pursue the criminals from Nigerian water ways.
He said the essence is to make sure that the Nigeria maritime environment is rid of various crimes and not only the transportation of substances like Canabis or other forms of crimes, so that the place will be conducive and safe for other legitimate businesses to thrive.
Also speaking during the handing over, the NDLEA representative, Marine Commander Paul Ahom, said when they receive assets like this or exhibits, they conduct a brief investigation.
