WAFCON 2024: Super Falcons Wallop Zambia, Zooms Into Semi Final

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July 18, 2025

By Akinwale Kasali

The Super Falcons of Nigeria has booked a place in the Semi-finals of the ongoing Women African Cup of Nations, WAFCON, Championship in Morocco with an outstanding performance against Zambia. The team handed its Southern African counterparts a 5-0 defeat.

The Super Falcons declared their dominance in the continent with a second minute strike from Osinachi Ohale.

Esther Okoronkwo added the second goal while Striker, Chinwendu Ihezuo, added a third goal to put the game behind the Barbara Banda-Captained Zambian team.

In the Second Half, the Super Falcons continued from where they stopped as they caged the duo of Banda and Marta Kundanijaji from threatening the Falcons defense.

Blessing Demehin, in the heart of the Nigeria Central Defense, added the fourth to put the game beyond the Zambians, while substitute, Folashade Ijamilusi added the fifth to give the nine-time Champion, a commanding win to Zoom to the semi finals.

Coach Justin Maduagu made some changes in the starting line up, introducing Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Ucheibe in the starting line up, dropping Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide and Toni Payne.

He, however, maintained Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal, the duo of Ohale and Demehin in the Central Defense, Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre in the Right and left back.

Halimatu Ayinde, Rashidat Ajibade and Deborah Abiodun in the midfield.

With this victory, the Super Falcons have revenged their 1-0 loss to the Zambians in the third place match at WAFCON 2022.

They now await the winners between Mali and Morocco in the Semi Finals.

ICPC Arraigns Kano Electoral Commission Chairman Over N1.02Bn Money Laundering

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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July 18, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

All appear set for the prosecution of some officials of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission KASIEC, for alleged N1.02 billion money laundering.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, baring any last minute change of mind, will on Monday July 21, 2025, be arraigning KANSIEC Chairman, Professor Sani Malumfashi, the Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha, and Ado Garba ,the Deputy Director of Accounts, before an Abuja Federal High Court on charges bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office, and large scale illegal cash transactions, contrary to the country’s anti-corruption and money laundering laws.

According to the facts of the case, the KANSIEC officials are being accused of illegally transferring the said sum of N1.02 billion from the Commission’s Unity Bank account to the account of a private firm- SLM Agro Global Farm in November 2024.

The anti-graft agency contended that as at the time of the illegal and suspicious transfer, SLM Agro Global Farm as a business outfit, was not having any contractual agreements with the electoral body to warrant such a haughty transaction.

According to the ICPC, the KANSIEC officials had, in their preliminary defence during investigations, claimed that the transaction was aimed at raising cash to pay adhoc field workers, and to also avoid the encumbrances of bank payments, which could affect its operations during the local council polls.

However, the anti-graft Commission argued that the reason adduced by KASIEC does not, in any way, align with the facts on the ground.

The ICPC stated that the said fund was returned in cash to the electoral body, thereby circumventing all due financial procedures.

The Agency cited a particular case in which the electoral Commission in a letter to the Unity Bank requested N59.4 million payment to about 468 Electoral officers, and 42 Assistant Electoral Officers through standard and approved bank transfers.

The Bank, according to the ICPC, did not only honour the request, but did so promptly, a development which it said contradicts the Electoral body’s claim that bank payments tended to delay it’s operations.

“The explanation that bank transfers would have delayed payments was nothing more than a cover to mask illicit financial activities.

It was a calculated attempt to justify money laundering”, the ICPC’ argued.

Furthermore, the anti-graft Commission questioned KANSIEC claims that the sum of N20 million was used in paying some field officers who conducted the screening exercises of candidates across the 44 local councils of the State.

According to the case file, the ICPC stated that it’s findings revealed that the screening exercise was carried out at the KANSIEC Head Office in Kano for allcandidates, with no exercise taking place at the Local Government level as claimed by the Electoral Commission’s officials.

The anti-graft agency averred that despite the fact that there were no screenings outside the Headquarters of the Commission, the third defendant, Garba. the Deputy Director of Accounts, still claimed that N20 million was paid out in cash to screening officers in the 44 local Councils and 484 Wards of the State.

Terrorism Charges: Nnamdi Kanu To Know Fate, October 10

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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July 18, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

An Abuja Federal High Court on Friday, July 18, 2025, reserved judgment for October 10, 2025 on the no-case submission made by the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, who has been standing trial on charges bordering on terrorism since 2021 on Friday opened his defence with a no-case plea through his counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN.

The Federal Government which has been prosecuting the IPOB leader on alleged terrorist activities at the Court sitting in June, closed its case after calling about five witnesses.

The Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho adjourned proceedings to October 10, after hearing arguments from both parties.

The defence counsel in his submission urged the Court to discharge and acquit his client, Kanu, after challenging the validity of the prosecution’s charges.

Agabi, a former Attorney General, and Minister of Justice, argued that none of the witnesses had testified that Kanu was responsible for inciting violence against the people as being argued by the prosecution.

Agabi further argued that all the five witnesses ( DSS operatives) called by the prosecution, apart from not blaming Kanu for the eruption of violence, also, admitted that their roles were limited to only obtaining statements from the IPOB leader.

The IPOB leader’s Counsel contended that no conclusive investigation was conducted on the statements allegedly made by Kanu, and that no investigative reports were also tendered before the Court in that regard.

Agabi, who further posited that Kanu only called on the people to defend themselves in the face of rampant killings, also, contended that he was only merely being boastful when he was alleged to have threatened to “bring the world down”.

The defence Counsel was of the view that Kanu’s position that the people should defend themselves is a constitutional right which has been reechoed by many prominent Nigerians, including General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma rtd.

He equally picked hole in the endless detention of Kanu, arguing that all extant laws, both local and international, are against solitary confinement of people.

The defence counsel was of the view that such mere piece of propaganda and boastful talk should not be cited as a veritable evidence of terrorism against the IPOB leader.

Agabi, in conclusion, argued that the terrorism charges preferred against Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government could not be proven during the trial.

Consequently, he urged the court to dismiss the charges, discharge and acquit his client as there are no sufficient grounds to continue with the trial.

Earlier, the prosecution’s legal team led by Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had prayed the court to dismiss the defendant’s no-case submission for lacking in merit.

The prosecution insisted that the detained IPOB leader had made a broadcast on Radio Biafra, during which he openly called for the break-up of Nigeria as a country.

In addition, Awomolo contended that apart from threatening the existence of the country, Kanu also expressed the intention to establish the Republic of Biafra.

The prosecution counsel prayed the Court not to perceive Kanu’s position as just a mere and empty threat, but to view it as a deliberate and dangerous plot to disintegrate Nigeria ,as well as sow seeds of violence and widespread fear among the citizens of Nigeria.

He argued that Kanu’s threat of ” bringing down the world” was not an empty one, but serious national security challenge which should not be handled with a kid glove.

Awomolo contended that the IPOB leader in his Radio Biafra broadcast directed his listeners/followers to target, and kill police personnel, security operatives, and their family members.

The Prosecution lead counsel argued that owing to Kanu’s message, over 170 security officials were killed.

“The defendant made a broadcast in which he proudly declared himself as the IPOB leader, even though he knew that the group had been proscribed.

He claimed that the world would come to a standstill. The Nigerian law prohibits inciting statements capable of making citizens live in perpetual fear.

“The threat to destroy Nigeria was not an idle talk. It was aimed at creating Biafra ,and there are consequences for such statements”, Awomolo argued.

To this end, the prosecution contending, urged the court to dismiss Kanu’s no-case-submission.

How Ondo Varsity Registrar Was Assassinated – Police

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Ayodele Oni

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July 18, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has revealed the reason for the sudden death of the Registrar of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, (UNIMED), Ezekiel Adeniyan who gave up the ghost on Thursday.

According to sources, the deceased, who was appointed over six months ago, was found dead in his house on Thursday morning, with nobody able to adduce reason for the sudden death.

The State Police Command on Friday confirmed that the deceased was assassinated.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that the matter was a case of assassination.

The PPRO said, “The man died in the early hours of yesterday. I can confirm to you, this was reported at Fanibi Division. We are doing everything possible to unravel the lies surrounding this case. I mean, we are after those responsible for this case.

“I can confirm to you that the man was killed. From the information I have at my disposal, two men came out of the bush and they forced a substance into another person’s mouth.

“But I can’t confirm to you where it actually happened, but our area of interest is to unravel who is responsible for his death.”

The command’s spokesman urged that anybody with information concerning the assailants should, , “please feel free to come forward and share it to reach us.”

The school management also confirmed the incident, in a statement issued by the Head of Media and Protocol of the state government-owned institution, Mr Isaac Oluyi on Thursday.

The statement read, “The devastating news (of the registrar’s death) has thrown the university into mourning, as it was shocking! He was still at his duty post on Monday, 14th July, 2025.

“As at the time of writing this statement, the cause of his death is yet to be ascertained.

“Mr Adeniran assumed office as the third substantive Registrar of UNIMED on the 6th January, 2025 and remained so until his sudden demise today, 17th July, 2025.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his immediate family and the entire University community in this trying moment. May God repose his soul!”

President Tinubu Appoints IBB Son, Others As Heads Of Banks, Federal Agencies

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Ayodele Oni

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July 18, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Muhammad Babangida as the new chairman of the Bank of Agriculture.

Babangida, who is the son of former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, is expected to oversee the bank’s operations following its recent restructuring.

The special adviser to the president on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, along with the appointment of seven other individuals to various leadership roles across federal agencies.

The selected persons will serve either as chairmen or heads of agencies that handle oil and gas, education, standardization, peace building, trade, technical cooperation, electricity, and water resources.

Muhammad Babangida, aged 53, studied Business Administration and later obtained a master’s degree in Public Relations and Business Communication from the European University in Montreux, Switzerland.

He also completed a corporate governance programme at Harvard Business School in 2002.

Among the new appointees is Lydia Kalat Musa from Kaduna State, who is now the chairman of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.

Jamilu Wada Aliyu from Kano State will serve as chairman of the National Educational Research and Development Council, while Yahuza Ado Inuwa, also from Kano, has been picked to chair the Standard Organisation of Nigeria.

Sanusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Kano, is to lead the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu from Sokoto State has been made Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa.

In addition, Sanusi Garba Rikiji from Zamfara State is the new Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations.

Tomi Somefun from Oyo State has been chosen as Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission, while Dr Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria from Kaduna will serve as Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission.

Ilajes Lament Neglect, Marginalization, Urge Aiyedatiwa To Wade In

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 18, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

“The Ocean no longer knocks, it breaks through”

The Ilaje Parapo Forum, IPF, has urged Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to brace up in his responsibility as the Chief Servant and administrator of the State, by as matter of urgency bring development to their area.

Prince Edward Akingboye, the Publicity Secretary, Ilaje Parapo Forum, in a statement said the Ilaje people are worried by the marginalization and neglect of their area.

He stated that the call was not a rebellion, but rather a call for the Governor to heed to the call of reasoning.

The statement reads; “There comes a moment in the life of a people when silence is no longer golden, when docility becomes betrayal, and when unchecked sycophancy becomes a dagger in the chest of justice.

“That moment, for the Ilaje people and the entire coastal belt of Ondo State, is now.

“Today, we, the Ilaje Parapo Forum, rise to speak not with hostility but with deep-seated concern. The tides of our ocean have become hostile, our land groans under neglect, our children cry for education, and our elders lament a future stolen in plain sight.

“Yet, in the corridors of Alagbaka, there is music, dance, and political revelry. But who, we ask, will call Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa for us?”

He said: “Let us be clear: Luck may enthrone a leader, but only vision, wisdom, and performance can sustain governance. Governance is not about flamboyant appearances or ceremonial presence; it is about intentional service delivery, planning, and accountability.

“It grieves us to say that our Governor, our own son, is failing to hear the lamentation of his people in Ilaje”.

Akingboye further stated that communities like Ayetoro and entire Gbeneva are being swallowed by the sea with chilling indifference.

“The ocean no longer knocks. It breaks through, uninvited. Livelihoods vanish. Homes crumble.

“Generations are displaced. Yet, Ilaje, a region whose oil sustains national coffers, lacks a single functional hospital, lacks well-equipped schools, and lacks shoreline protection. Is this what we deserve?

“Let the world know: this is not abandonment by oversight; it is calculated neglect.

“Even the Ilaje Education Authority office in Igbokoda, rather than being a hub of intellectual coordination, now resembles a pond flooded and forsaken.

“The so-called Mega School stands in mockery; its roof sheets curled to the sky like palms begging the heavens. How can we explain this to our children?

“And what of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)? Just two weeks ago, the Commission celebrated its 25th anniversary. A parade of pomp and speeches reached the Governor’s table, but not a single tangible legacy was acknowledged in Ilaje. Not a road. It’s not a shoreline defence. Not a hospital.

“The MD left without reprimand. Mr. Governor clapped. Yet, the people of Ilaje continue to weep.

“Who will tell our governor that strategic governance is not driven by birthday cakes or party jollof rice, but by documented visions, inclusive planning, and measurable outcomes?

“Who will remind him that the real work of OSOPADEC is not to organize feasts but to champion recovery plans for people on the brink of environmental and economic extinction?”

He lamented that it should be known that Ilaje is bleeding.

“Our children are losing access to education. Our youths are migrating in desperation. Our farmlands are now saline fields. And yet, the machinery of the state is mute.”

The Group however demand that Governor Aiyedatiwa should bring forth a clear development blueprint for Ilaje land—covering infrastructure, education, health, and climate adaptation.

It added that the Group is demanding an audit of NDDC and OSOPADEC’s interventions in Ilaje LGA in the past 10 years.

“We further demand an Immediate emergency response to the environmental devastation of our coastline; Stakeholder engagement, including town hall meetings in Ilaje, to enable participatory governance.

“Governor Ayedatiwa, this is your moment to rise. You are the son of the soil. The son of Ilaje. But bloodlines are not enough. Legacy is not inherited—it is built. You stand on the shoulders of ancestors who gave everything for this land. Do not be remembered for standing idle while it sinks.

“This is not hate. This is heritage speaking.

“This is not a shout of rebellion. It is a cry for responsibility. This is not bitterness. It is burden.

“We speak from the heart of the creeks—and we will not be silent again.”

Ondo Seeks Constitutional Backing For LCDAs, Control Of Resources

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Ayodele Oni

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July 18, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has appealed to the committee on constitution amendment to recommend inclusion of newly created Local Council Development Authorities, (LCDAs) in the proposed constitution.

Welcoming members of the House of Representatives Committee to Akure, the state capital on Friday, Aiyedatiwa also pleaded that states should be allowed to have control over mineral deposits within their purview.

“It is also of interest to the Government and people of Ondo State that additional local governments be created in the State, just as Lagos State Local Development Council Areas (LCDAs) are being proposed for inclusion in the Constitution as fully-fledged Local Government Areas.

“In Ondo State, we have functional thirty three (33) LCDAs duly created by the State Government. We strongly advocate that the proposed bill be expanded and these 33 LCDAs in Ondo State be recognised as fully-fledged Local Governments in the First Schedule of the Constitution.

“Also, it is high time that Section 44(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was amended to remove control over all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in, under or upon any land or territorial waters in the exclusively economic zone in Nigeria from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.

“It is an understatement that State Governments and the people experience a lot of agonies from the activities of miners, including illegal miners, quarries and others that engage in mineral exploration activities.

“This is because State Governments have little or no control over this sector. It hinders State Governments, especially oil-rich States from harnessing their mineral wealth for local development, while illegal mining continues to flourish due to weak Federal Government oversight and poor local enforcement mechanisms.

“For instance, Ondo State is richly endowed with solid minerals like limestone, granite, bitumen, kaolin and marble, yet many local quarry operators face bureaucratic bottlenecks in obtaining licences and permits from the Federal Government.

“It is, therefore, imperative to remove all extractive resources like quarrying, mines, oil fields, geological surveys from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Residual Legislative List.”

The governor stated that the State aligns with the progressive aspirations of the South-West Geo-political Zone in advocating for true federalism that reflects socio-political, cultural and economic realities of the federating units.

“This would be in tandem with true fiscal federalism where states have full control over their resources and revenues, while remitting about 40% of their revenues to the Federal Government.

“Still on fiscal federalism, it will serve the cause of fairness and justice to have a review of the current revenue allocation formula which is skewed in favour of the Federal Government. Ondo State is of the opinion that not less than 50 percent of revenue from the Federation should be allocated to the States.

“On State Police and internal security, it is sufficiently clear that the growing insecurity in the country has rendered the centralised policing structure unsustainable.

“The centralised police institution has tried its best, but it has become overwhelmed, underfunded and ill-equipped to solve evolving and diverse security challenges like kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, farmers-herders clashes, cultism and cybercrime.

“These crimes continue to thrive due to delayed response to crimes and lack of local intelligence on the part of the centralised policing architecture. We, therefore, call for the establishment of State Police to strengthen internal security.

“This position is further strengthened by the success story of the Amotekun Corps under the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) which has significantly improved community policing, deterrence and intelligence gathering, in spite of being restrained from handling sophisticated weapons and lack of prosecuting powers.

“States are closer to the people and they better understand the local peculiarities of crimes and security threats.”

On the creation of additional states, the Governor maintained that “Ondo State is not opposed to the creation of new States as requested in some of the proposed bills, but the government and good people of Ondo State strongly oppose excising any part of our territory to merge with any new state or join an existing state.”

NSCDC Approaches Reps Committee, Seeks Full Constitutional Recognition

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Ayodele Oni

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July 18, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Assembly has been urged to grant full constitutional recognition to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), in line with its original mandate of securing lives and property, especially the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure.

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, made the call, while presenting a position paper to the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee in Akure on Friday.

Audi requested for a Section of the Constitution that will clearly spell out the corps’ role of protecting the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure; regulating private security practice; providing Public Security Education; engaging in conflict resolution for willing parties; securing agro-allied activities/investments; performing any other functions that may be assigned to it by the President and Acts of the National Assembly.

He stated that such a constitutional backing would lay to rest repeated clamouring and agitation for a merger of the corps with another agency, while improving on its efficiency.

The Commandant-General who was represented by Commandant Hammed Abodunrin traced the origin of the corps to the Nigerian Civil War era when it emerged as a voluntary quasi-military organisation to assist the civil populace.

Talking about the legal backing of the security agency, the Commandant-General noted that the National Assembly passed an Act in 2003 to change it to a full-fledged federal security outfit.

With the backing, more responsibilities were also assigned by various national policies, including the National Security Strategy (NSS) of 2019 and the National Protection Policy and Strategy for Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (NPPS-CNAI) of 2024 recently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The NSCDC praised the National Assembly for granting it power to bear arms in 2007 and the Nigerian Army for providing the first 5,000 units of arms and ammunition to the corps and training its personnel at no cost.

“It is noteworthy, that an organization that started with only 12,512 employees today is growing to about 70,000 officers and men.

“It is a thing of joy that, with your singular worthy action, the NSCDC today is a registered member of the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) headquartered in Geneva.”

The NSCDC boss, however, lamented that Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution which states that there shall be only one police force in the country has been misinterpreted over the years, leading to an unhealthy relationship between the corps and the police force.

He added that the appointment of a retired police officer as Acting Commandant of the corps at inception to mentor the personnel also contributed to a misunderstanding of the role of the NSCDC.

“This led to untended consequences of vigorous and repeated attempt of integration instead of collaboration as the expected mentees are subsequently being treated as competitors.

“It is no longer news that NSCDC personnel are repeatedly harassed, brutalized, arrested, detained and even killed for doing what is always referred to as constitutionally guaranteed exclusive police jobs.

“Sometimes, NSCDC personnel and their Commanders were ordered to produce the Act that empower them to be carrying out security and safety assignments.

“Even as brothers and sisters that share the same goal of protecting lives and property, things always change when it comes to the issue of constitution.”

Atiku’s Mortal Sin And Why We Worked Against Him

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

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July 18, 2025

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A member of the G5 Governors that worked against former vice president Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election says the Peoples Democratic , Party, PDP presidential candidate committed a mortal sin by picking the party’s ticket that year, when there was an agreement that the position should be zoned to the south.

This was the reason why the five PDP governors under the aegis of G5 worked against his election, according to the former governor Samuel Ortom. They all worked for the APC candidate in the election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who later won the election , Ortom said.

The five ‘rebel’ governors included Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).

Ortom spoke on Arise Television on Thursday, stressing that the PDP failed the test of ‘equity, fairness and Justice” by picking Abubakar as its candidate, after a northerner, President Muhammadu Buhari had taken the slot of the region.

Buhari ruled for eight years, and based on gentleman arrangement in the country, the presidency was expected to return to the south.

Revealing why the G5 worked for Tinubu, the former governor said Abukakar and PDP breached the power rotation agreement between the north and south, accsing them of betrayal.

“We had thought the PDP would uphold equity, fairness, and justice. But unfortunately, they did not,’ Ortom said.

“I couldn’t understand how, after eight years of a northern presidency, the party would support another northern candidate,” he said.

Ortom withdrew support for Abubakar in the election and backed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

“For us in the G5, it was about equity. We believed the presidency should go to the South. That was why I worked against the PDP in 2023.

“Even if I lost my senatorial election after serving eight years as governor, it didn’t matter. I wanted it to be known that there are still people who believe in justice, equity, and fairness.

“Politics is selfish. When your interests are not protected, you look elsewhere. Yes, Wike is my friend, we worked together, and he remains my friend,” he said.

Navy Intercepts Smuggled Rice, Fuel, Rescues Trafficked Victims In Badagry

By

Akinwale Kasali

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July 18, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base, FOB, Badagry, Lagos State, recorded a major operational success in its ongoing efforts to combat smuggling, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes within its Area of Operations.

The FOB intercepted a total of 423 bags of foreign parboiled rice during intelligence-driven operations conducted between June 22 and July 14, 2025. The seizures occurred at key smuggling routes including Badagry Market Waterside, Badagry-Porto Novo Creek, Erekiti axis, Point of No Return, T-Junction, Isalu, and Tongeji Creek.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Navy Captain B.O. Omotayo, Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry.

Omotayo stated that in separate series of anti-smuggling operations conducted between May 29 and July 9, 2025, the Base also intercepted 16,895 litres of illegally transported Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, across locations such as Bollington, Idale-Badagry, Owode-Apa, Ijofin, Ashikpa, and again at Badagry Market Waterside.

The seized fuel was subsequently destroyed as a deterrent to future smuggling activities.

In line with the Nigerian Navy’s Standard Operating Procedures and existing inter-agency protocols, the Base formally handed over the 423 bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service. Specifically, 364 bags were transferred to Superintendent of Customs I.N. Dauda of the Western Marine Command, while 59 bags were handed to Deputy Superintendent of Customs A.U. Abubakar of the Seme Area Command for further administrative processing.

The Base also made significant strides in its anti-human trafficking efforts, rescuing 11 suspected victims of human trafficking in three separate incidents between June 27 and July 9, 2025. Among the victims were three 15-year-old girls rescued at Owode Border, a 19-year-old girl intercepted en route to the Republic of Benin, and seven teenagers found onboard a passenger boat heading to Porto Novo—some of whom were suspected to be recruiters.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims, mostly from Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States, were being trafficked to destinations including Mali, Cotonou, and Ghana under false pretenses. All rescued individuals have been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for further investigation and family reunification.

These achievements, the Navy said, are in line with the strategic vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as outlined in CNS Strategic Directive 06–2023. The directive emphasizes the Nigerian Navy’s pivotal role in securing the maritime environment, safeguarding national economic assets, and fostering inter-agency cooperation.

FOB Badagry reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and community partnership in the fight against transnational crime and economic sabotage.