Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft and Maritime Component Commander for the South-West, has officially handed over 1,306 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice to the Nigerian Customs Service, Western Marine Command, in Apapa.
The handover followed a successful anti-smuggling operation carried out by the Operation AWATSE team on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in the Majidun Community of Ikorodu West Local Council, Lagos State.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Commodore Nimmyel said the action aligned with the harmonised standard procedures guiding arrest, detention, and prosecution protocols among joint security forces. He detailed how the smugglers, using several vehicles, tried to evade a security checkpoint, triggering a swift pursuit by the Operation AWATSE Quick Response Team (QRT).
“In line with the Joint Task Force’s Standard Operating Procedures, our QRT acted promptly when the suspects attempted to bypass security,” Nimmyel stated. “The operation by the Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE was conducted with commendable professionalism and restraint, as no casualties were recorded.”
He praised the tactical efficiency of the Navy-led team, noting that the successful interception reflected the unit’s dedication to supporting statutory agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service in combating illicit trade and securing the nation’s borders.
“The timely response of the QRT and the successful interception of the consignment demonstrate the continued commitment of the Maritime Component of Operation AWATSE to assist statutory agencies in curbing smuggling activities within its Area of Operations,” he added.
Operation AWATSE is a joint military task force comprising personnel from the Navy, Army, Air Force, and other security agencies. It was established to combat terrorism, militancy, and smuggling in Nigeria’s South-West region, especially around critical border and coastal areas.
The 1,306 bags of seized rice were handed over in the presence of officials from the Nigerian Customs Service, marking another coordinated effort in the ongoing battle against economic sabotage and illegal cross-border trade.
